Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have been the faces of the WTA tour in 2024 as part of one of the most intriguing rivalries in recent years. Both players have had standout seasons, trading the No. 1 ranking amidst key matches on the biggest stages. But which player had the better season? Let’s take a closer look at their Grand Slam performances, titles, consistency, and overall impact this year.

Aryna Sabalenka: Rising to Elite Levels

Sabalenka’s 2024 season was marked by her successes at the Grand Slam level. She won her second and third Grand Slam titles this year at the Australian Open and the US Open. These wins marked significant milestones in her career and established her as a dominant force in women’s tennis. Winning two Slams in one calendar year is a rare achievement and has traditionally been used to define the best player of a season. This achievement, in particular, sets her apart from Swiatek, who only captured the French Open in 2024​.

Beyond the Grand Slams, Sabalenka also performed exceptionally well in several WTA events. She reached the finals in Brisbane, Madrid and Rome. Her success across different surfaces (hard court, clay) demonstrates her versatility as a player. Despite an injury setback that caused her to miss Wimbledon, Sabalenka managed to recover and continue her success throughout the year, most notably at the US Open. Her tenacity and resilience were evident as she briefly overtook Swiatek to become the world No. 1, illustrating her capacity to compete at the top level consistently​. Her victory in New York solidified her status as one of the most formidable and imposing players on tour, demonstrating an improved mental resilience that has often been a topic of discussion in previous seasons.

Swiatek: Consistent Excellence

Swiatek’s year was defined by consistency and her signature dominance on clay, particularly with her third Roland Garros title, and her fourth Grand Slam title overall. By successfully defending her French Open crown, it solidified her status as the queen of clay. Her ability to maintain a high level of play and defend her titles contributed to her hold on the No. 1 ranking for much of the season. Swiatek also made strong runs at other tournaments across all surfaces, including four WTA 1000s in Qatar, Indian Wells, Rome, and Madrid.

A key element of Swiatek’s season was her ability to handle the pressure that comes with being the world No. 1. Despite the challenge of maintaining her ranking in the face of Sabalenka’s rising form, Swiatek held on to the top spot for much of the year. Her game, characterized by her relentless baseline play, precision, and exceptional footwork, made her a difficult opponent for anyone on tour. She also demonstrated mental toughness, especially in high-pressure matches, which was instrumental in defending her titles and pushing through difficult phases of the season.

Despite these performances, her failure to add a second Grand Slam title in the year meant that Sabalenka’s double-Slam achievement overshadowed her overall success​ in the 2024 season.

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The Verdict 

In terms of titles, Sabalenka’s two Grand Slam wins hold more weight than Swiatek’s single Slam victory at the French Open. Grand Slam titles go to the best players, and securing two in a single season gives Sabalenka the edge. Her victories across different surfaces (Australian Open on hard court and the US Open on hard court) further emphasize her all-court game.

Swiatek’s current hold on the #1 spot doesn’t tell the full story. The fact that Sabalenka is only 400 points behind in the race to Riyadh is telling. With Swiatek having dropped out of Beijing, it is likely that the current status quo won’t hold for long.

Sabalenka’s ability to bounce back from injury and maintain a high level of performance shows a level of mental and physical resilience that has markedly improved this season. While Swiatek has been more consistent, it’s the peak achievements of Sabalenka that arguably make her 2024 season more remarkable.

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports