World No. 1 Ranking at Stake for Aryna Sabalenka in Toronto

The world No. 1 ranking is on the line for Aryna Sabalenka as she begins her campaign at the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto this week. Her performance in the round of 16 is crucial; a failure to advance could see world No. 2 Elena Rybakina ascend to the top spot, provided the Kazakh player wins the entire tournament.

Sabalenka enters the Canadian hardcourt event with a formidable record this year, having won 23 of her 24 matches on the surface. Her sole defeat came in the Australian Open final against Rybakina. Following her exit in the fourth round of Wimbledon, Sabalenka took time to recharge on the Greek island of Mykonos.

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I think the break was needed. I felt much better afterwards and couldn't wait to get back on the court.

"I think the break was needed. I felt much better afterwards and couldn't wait to get back on the court," Sabalenka stated, expressing her readiness to defend her top ranking, which she has held since October 2024. She acknowledged that her performance on clay and grass earlier in the season did not fully reflect her capabilities, despite trying new approaches.

"I won't say that grass and clay were that bad. I tried some things, but it didn't go as I had hoped," she said. "Now we are 'back to basics,' and I really hope it will work well." Sabalenka is set to face Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima in her opening match, while veteran Venus Williams has already been eliminated. Danish player Clara Tauson, seeded 27th, is also competing in Toronto.

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I won't say that grass and clay were that bad. I tried some things, but it didn't go as I had hoped. Now we are 'back to basics,' and I really hope it will work well.