Aryna Sabalenka Hits 60 Wins and Secures Year-End No.1 at WTA Finals

Sabalenka’s Season of Milestones: WTA Finals Begin in Riyadh

Aryna Sabalenka stepped onto the courts of Riyadh with a singular focus: to conquer the one major title that has so far eluded her. In front of an expectant crowd, the world No.1 wasted no time making her intentions clear, dispatching Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-1 in a match that was as much a statement as a victory.

This was not just another win for Sabalenka. It was her 60th of the season, a rare milestone in women’s tennis, matched only by Iga Swiatek in 2025. With 24 winners and 11 aces, Sabalenka’s powerful game overwhelmed Paolini, who herself was fighting to become the first Italian in a decade to defeat a reigning world No.1. But Sabalenka’s serve, clocking in at an impressive 82.7% of first serves in play, set the tone for a match she controlled from start to finish.

Dominance on Display: Serving, Focus, and Experience

Sabalenka’s performance was about more than numbers. The match marked her 500th at the WTA level—a testament to her longevity and consistency. Each point, every game reflected her commitment to focus and composure, qualities she emphasized in her post-match interview: “I was focused, I was calm and it felt like everything was in control,” she said. For Sabalenka, maintaining that mental edge is key against opponents like Paolini, with whom she shares a history of tough battles.

Paolini, exhausted after competing in both singles and doubles, managed only brief resistance. The two players traded breaks early, but Sabalenka quickly seized momentum, rattling off six consecutive games to close out the first set and race to a 4-0 lead in the second. Even when Paolini pushed the next game to deuce, Sabalenka responded with heavy first serves, refusing to give her opponent a foothold.

Year-End No.1: Trophy, Recognition, and Perspective

The victory was more than a personal milestone—it was a formal confirmation of Sabalenka’s year-end No.1 status. Presented with the trophy on the opening day of the WTA Finals, Sabalenka joined an elite group of just 16 women to have won the year-end No.1 trophy multiple times since the rankings system began. Her reign has been uninterrupted for 55 consecutive weeks, and 63 weeks in total at the summit of women’s tennis.

“It’s a huge honor,” Sabalenka reflected. “I’m super happy and super proud of the work that has been done and that things are working and I’m getting better and better every day.” The recognition is more than symbolic—it underscores a year of hard work, strategic adjustments, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Sabalenka’s consistency extends to her record against top-10 opponents, with 52 career wins, 12 of which have come in 2025 alone. This statistical dominance is not lost on her competitors, nor on the fans who have watched her evolve from a raw talent to a polished champion.

The Elusive WTA Finals Title: A New Chapter?

Despite her glittering resume—four Grand Slam titles, one Elite Trophy, nine WTA 1000s, five WTA 500s, and two WTA 250s—the WTA Finals title remains out of reach. Her best run came in 2022, when she finished runner-up to Caroline Garcia. Now, in her fifth consecutive appearance at the season-ending showdown, Sabalenka is determined to change that narrative.

“I take this tournament as a regular tournament that I have to win five matches if I want to win the title,” Sabalenka explained. “So I’m just trying to bring my best tennis and fight for every point.” The round-robin format means every match counts, and with rivals like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in her group, the path ahead is anything but easy.

Sabalenka’s head-to-head with Gauff, for instance, is evenly poised at 4:4 since 2022, suggesting that even for a world No.1, the margins are razor-thin. Recent results from the Wuhan Open and US Open hint at intense battles ahead.

The Broader WTA Finals Picture: Rising Stars and Fierce Rivals

The WTA Finals in Riyadh bring together the season’s best, with Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina already securing opening wins. Defending champion Coco Gauff faces Jessica Pegula in an all-American clash, while doubles action features Paolini alongside Sara Errani. For Sabalenka, every point in this elite company is a test of her championship resolve.

Elsewhere, the sport is witnessing its next wave of talent. Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko’s breakthrough at the Hong Kong Open is a reminder of the relentless churn at the top of tennis, where established stars must constantly defend their turf against hungry newcomers.

Sabalenka’s journey is also a story of adaptation. After the heartbreaks and triumphs of Grand Slams and regular tour events, she arrives at the WTA Finals not just as a contender, but as the standard-bearer for excellence in the sport.

Looking Ahead: Pressure, Opportunity, and Legacy

The pressure of expectations—both self-imposed and from the tennis world—is immense. But Sabalenka appears unfazed, channeling the energy into her game and using each match as another opportunity to cement her legacy. The WTA Finals, with its unique format and elite field, offers both a challenge and a chance for redemption.

For Sabalenka, the 2025 season has been about more than just wins. It’s been about growth, resilience, and the pursuit of completeness. Whether she lifts the trophy in Riyadh or not, her place at the top is already assured. Yet the hunger for that elusive title remains.

Sabalenka’s commanding start at the WTA Finals not only reinforces her position as the world’s best, but also sets the stage for a potentially career-defining week. Her season of milestones, capped by the year-end No.1 ranking, is a testament to sustained excellence. But the real measure may come in how she navigates the challenges ahead—balancing focus, ambition, and the pressure of expectation—to finally claim the one title that has so far escaped her grasp.

Sources: Ubitennis.net, BBC Sport, Fox16/AP