“The further you go, the more you want”: Disappointed Sabalenka focusing on year-end world No 1 – and more Slams

Aryna Sabalenka has missed out on this chance to be world No 1 – but she’s focused on what’s going to happen for the rest of the year

Aryna Sabalenka after her Wimbledon semi-final in 2023 (Action Plus/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

July 13, 2023

If Aryna Sabalenka had reached the Wimbledon final this year, she would have taken over the world No 1 spot from Iga Swiatek.

It was not to be – she lost in three sets to Ons Jabeur – but the Belarusian’s dreams aren’t dashed. After reaching at least the semi-final of every Grand Slam so far this year, she’s already thinking about the US Open.

“[2023 is] definitely one of the best years so far. I mean, I can’t complain about my results this year, to be honest.

“The far you go, the more you want. It’s still tough to, yeah, recover after these kind of matches.

ONS-TOPPABLE 🇹🇳@Ons_Jabeur produces a stunning comeback against No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka to reach the ladies’ final, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 🙌#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/cFSnkIn55Y
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2023

“What do I expect at the US Open? Well, just do better. If I get to the semi-finals, just do better than I did in the last semi-finals!”

And she denied that she had been distracted by the thought of reaching the top of the rankings.

“I wouldn’t say that I was thinking about that. I mean, for me it’s more about how you finish the year than during the year – you’re first, second, you just go back and forth.

“For me it’s more about finish the year. I’ll keep pushing myself and do everything I can to finish this year as world No 1.”