If one stat defines Aryna Sabalenka’s 2025 season, it’s dominance. She began the year as World No. 1 and never let go. Finals in Melbourne and Paris, a semifinal at Wimbledon, and yet, the majors felt like unfinished business. Titles eluded her since May, whispers of drought circling the throne. But then came New York, where she bulldozed through the draw, dropped just one set, and claimed back-to-back US Open crowns, her fourth major triumph. Now, as the WTA Finals beckon under Riyadh’s golden lights, the question burns brighter than ever: can Sabalenka seal her season of supremacy? Coco Vandeweghe just might have the answer.
A few hours ago, the official Instagram account of Tennis Channel dropped a clip that set the tone for the WTA Finals discussion. The host asked Coco Vandeweghe whether the year-end trophy was the one Aryna Sabalenka never wanted to lose. Without hesitation, the former pro delivered a statement that summed up Sabalenka’s entire season. “Let’s put it in perspective. She’s world number one, she has won the last grand slam, so to me, yeah, she’s the hunted. She’s got the biggest target on her back, and she has led the gear with the idea, that mentality of you guys better level up your game to me, I am not getting to your level,” CoCo said, capturing the fearsome aura of the reigning queen.
And truly, there’s no longer any debate about where Sabalenka stands. Her triumph in New York didn’t just add another title; it reasserted her dominance and reminded the world that she remains the benchmark of the women’s game.
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This season, Sabalenka’s numbers tell the story of unrelenting excellence. She played a grueling 70 matches, second only to Iga Swiatek, and walked away victorious in 84 percent of them. Out of 15 tournaments, she reached at least the quarterfinals in 13 and lifted four trophies: Brisbane, Miami, Madrid, and the US Open. Those victories pushed her career tally to 21 titles, solidifying her legacy as one of the sport’s fiercest competitors.
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Yet, there’s one prize that continues to elude her: the WTA Finals crown. Sabalenka has come close but never crossed the finish line. Her record reads like a journey of near-misses: group-stage exit in 2021, runner-up in 2022, and back-to-back semifinal finishes in 2023 and 2024.
Her best chance came in 2022 when she defied the odds, bouncing back from an opening loss to Maria Sakkari by stunning the top three seeds, Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur, and Iga Swiatek, before falling short to Caroline Garcia in the final. That run showcased her resilience, hunger, and championship spirit, qualities that still define her today.
Now, Sabalenka has her eyes fixed on Riyadh. The World No. 1 is already there, training with intensity and focus, as she shared a behind-the-scenes video of her preparation session. After a brief post-Wuhan break, she’s recharged and ready to close the year on her terms.
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Drawn into the Steffi Graf Group alongside Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Jasmine Paolini, Sabalenka faces familiar foes. She leads their combined head-to-head 15-12, though she trails Gauff 5-6 and recently fell to Pegula in Wuhan. Still, those numbers only fuel her fire.
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A legend herself now assessed by legends, Sabalenka stands on the edge of destiny. With the spotlight burning bright in Riyadh, one question lingers in the desert air: can Aryna finally conquer the crown that’s long escaped her grasp and cement her reign with the title that defines champions?
Martina Navratilova analyzes Aryna Sabalenka’s prospects ahead of the WTA Finals
Martina Navratilova has offered a glowing forecast for Aryna Sabalenka’s WTA Finals campaign, marking her as the woman to beat in Riyadh. The 18-time Grand Slam champion praised Sabalenka’s mastery of hard courts, insisting the reigning World No. 1’s power and precision make her the undeniable favorite on this surface.
Reflecting on Sabalenka’s 2025 season, Navratilova highlighted the consistency that has defined her year. “She peaked well for all the majors. She’s still rueing the French Open more than anything. She could have won that match against Coco Gauff. But she bounced back and reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, where she was beaten by Amanda Anisimova rather than beating herself. Then she won the US Open pretty decisively,” she said.
The Czech-American legend, whose dominance once set the gold standard in women’s tennis, elaborated further on what gives Sabalenka the edge. “She’s the heavy favorite on any surface, but particularly on a medium-pace hard court where you get a solid bounce and good footing. Her shots pay off on any surface and she has enough time to get into position,” Navratilova remarked.
She continued with characteristic precision, noting how the Riyadh conditions are perfectly tailored to Sabalenka’s strengths. “It’s fast enough for her to do damage and slow enough for her to prepare for her shots. She’s deadly on this stuff,” Navratilova added.
And with that ringing endorsement from one of the sport’s greatest icons, all eyes now turn to Riyadh, where Sabalenka looks primed to finish her season in thunderous style.