Rare and complicated moments the world number 1 is going through in recent weeks. Iga Swiatek has been withdrawing from each tournament after the US Open, missing almost the entire Asian tour. Now, the Polish player has announced that she will also not participate in the upcoming Wuhan WTA (October 7-13). The reason seems very clear after today Iga announced her separation from Tomasz Wiktorowski, the coach she had been working with for the past three successful years. “After a significant change in my sports team, I decided to withdraw from the Wuhan tournament. I am very sorry for the fans in China and for those who were expecting to see me play, but I hope they understand that I need some time,” said Iga, who is taking some time off while changes are happening in her team.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Swiatek explica el motivo por el que se baja del torneo de Wuhan

Iga Swiatek parted ways with her coach before withdrawing from the Wuhan WTA 1000.

After a strong start to the year, the wheels are starting to come off for World No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Earlier today, Swiatek announced that she was parting ways with her coach of three seasons Tomas Wiktorowski.

Swiatek announced the decision with a multi-part story on her Instagram. “After 3 years of the greatest achievements in my career, together with my coach Tomasz Wiktorowski we decided to part way. I want to start with a big thank you and appreciating our work together.”

A closer look at the equipment of the four-time Roland Garros champ and current world No. 1.

Racquet: Tecnifibre T-Fight 300 ISO ($249)

Swiatek had formerly been using her signature Tempo 298 racquet, but decided to switch to the T-Fight 300 at the start of 2024. With its user-friendly weight and accessible power, the 300 is the most used of the T-Fights. The ISO in its name stands for ISOFLEX—it’s essentially variable racquet stiffness depending on the location of the frame to promote a wider, more predictable sweet spot that’s also more forgiving on off-center contact. The other notable design is the RS Section beam that combines a square shape to promote feel and control with an elliptical shape to produce more power. It has a firm response that offers a crisp, clean and solid feel at contact. The 16×19 string pattern helps put lots of shape on ball, which Swiatek takes advantage of on her heavy ground strokes.

Apparel: On Women’s Court Tank ($70) and Court Shorts ($80)

Swiatek put On on the tennis apparel map. Her Court Tank is made of a soft, lightweight material with a streamlined design that moves as she does. The neck and armholes are also tailored to limit distractions. The top is slightly longer in the back to provide additional coverage when she’s flying across the court. And the bold coloring makes a strong statement.

The Court Shorts have integrated tights for added security and a built-in waistband for a customized fit. Like the Tank, it’s also extremely lightweight, with a side seam slit to allow total freedom of movement. Bonded hems mean chafe-free comfort no matter how long the match goes. And a discreet zipper pocked on the rear allows stored valuables to stay out of your way.

Shoes: On The Roger Pro 2 ($200)

Swiatek was previously sponsored by Asics. When she came over to On, she continued to wear an Asics model because her foot didn’t jibe with the original Roger Pro. However, she’s now sporting the second edition of the shoe. It boasts a fairly wide cut and lower arch profile. A carbon fiber Speedboard in the midsole provides stability and energy return into the next step. To boost durability, the mesh on the upper is now lighter, with more abrasion-resistant material, the top cap is reinforced to protect against foot dragging, and a TPU clip and upper overlays give additional structure and support. The outsole has also be revamped with an open herringbone pattern for a better combination of grip and give. There’s also a clay-court version with a tighter tread to help Swiatek perform long, controlled slides at Roland Garros.

As the 2024 tennis season draws to a close, one of the most exciting narratives that will define the rest of the season is the intense battle for the year-end No. 1 ranking between World no. 1 Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka, who currently ranks second. Both players have had remarkable seasons, solidifying their positions at the top of the women’s game. This fight for supremacy reflects not only their individual brilliance but also the shifting dynamics of the WTA Tour.

Iga Świątek’s Dominance and Consistency

Iga Świątek, the Polish phenom, has been a dominant force in women’s tennis since she burst onto the scene with her stunning French Open victory in 2020. Since then, she has become a model of consistency and excellence, especially on clay courts, where her game has flourished.

In 2024, Świątek continued her impressive form, winning multiple titles and reaching the final stages of nearly every tournament she entered. Her extraordinary performance at the French Open, where she claimed her third Roland Garros title, further cemented her place at the top of the rankings. Her ability to maintain a high level of play across surfaces has been a key factor in her success, particularly as she has shown improvement on faster surfaces like hard courts.

Swiatek’s mental toughness and tactical acumen make her a formidable opponent. Her forehand, widely regarded as one of the most potent weapons on the WTA Tour, coupled with her ability to move effortlessly around the court, has allowed her to dominate opponents and remain a constant threat in every tournament. As she vies for the year-end No. 1 spot, her consistency and resilience have given her an edge in the race.

Aryna Sabalenka’s Statement Year

Aryna Sabalenka has also enjoyed a groundbreaking year in 2024. Sabalenka demonstrated she has evolved into a more settled version of the player her unique style of play always held promise for, which has elevated her to the top tier of women’s tennis. Her transformation from a big-hitting yet inconsistent player, into a multiple Grand Slam champion has been one of the defining stories of the year.

Sabalenka’s second Major triumph came at the 2024 Australian Open, where she successfully defended her maiden Grand Slam title from 2023. This victory was a testament to her improved mental game, as she demonstrated newfound composure under pressure, something that had often been her achilles heel in previous years. Throughout the season, she added more titles to her resume and reached deep into major tournaments, finally culminating in yet another Grand Slam title at the US Open, which further solidified her position as Świątek’s primary rival for the No. 1 ranking.

Key Moments in the Race for No. 1

The year-end No. 1 battle between Świątek and Sabalenka has been defined by key moments throughout the season. Each Grand Slam and major tournament has carried significant weight in the rankings race, with both players exchanging victories and crucial points.

Świątek’s dominance on clay, particularly her triumph at Roland Garros, was a crucial moment that allowed her to stay ahead of the chasing pack in the rankings. On the other hand, Sabalenka’s victory at the Australian Open and deep runs in other hard-court events gave her a significant boost, closing the gap between the two.

What’s at Stake

For both Świątek and Sabalenka, the fight for the year-end No. 1 ranking represents more than just a number. For Świątek, retaining her top spot would validate her dominance and consistency over the past few seasons, proving that she is the player to beat in women’s tennis. For Sabalenka, she would hope to replicate her dominant finish to the year from 2023 which not only saw her topple Iga from the No. 1 spot but equally earned her first finish as the year end No.1 in the rankings.

The stretch from September to November was crucial in the battle for the year-end No. 1 ranking in 2023 and all the signs point to an even more intense battle this time around. Świątek’s early exit at the US Open allowed Aryna Sabalenka to take over as World No. 1 in 2023, and although Świątek performed well in the later months, she couldn’t make up the points difference at the WTA Finals.

Her semifinal finish in Cancun, coupled with Sabalenka’s title win, sealed Świątek’s fate as World No. 2 for 2023. However, her performances in this period showed that she remains a top contender heading into 2024, and the fight for the top spot is far from over.

With plenty of points to play for and defend for both exceptional players, the race for the year-end No. 1 spot has injected excitement into the closing months of the 2024 season. Both Świątek and Sabalenka have pushed each other to new heights, and their rivalry will undoubtedly shape the future of women’s tennis. As the final tournaments unfold, fans around the world will be watching closely to see who will claim the ultimate prize: the title of year-end world No. 1.