“Will talk about that at the end of my career” – Sabalenka not chasing Swiatek’s Grand Slam record
The Belarusian is two shy of Iga Swiatek’s Grand Slam tally of five titles but surpassing the Pole isn’t a driving factor for her
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Aryna Sabalenka is behind her fiercest rival Iga Swiatek in the Grand Slam winners’ tally but will have a chance to halve the deficit with the Pole at the 2025 Australian Open. However, the Belarusian doesn’t seem to be setting herself a target based on Swiatek’s numbers.
At 26, Sabalenka has already won three Majors but 23-year-old Swiatek stands ahead with five such triumphs. Thus, glory at the Melbourne Park this year will bring her in touching distance of the Pole’s record.
A title win in Brisbane on Sunday (d. Polina Kudermetova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in final) boosted those hopes for the Belarusian as she looks forward to a hat-trick of Australian Open glories but she’s not going into the draw with Swiatek’s five Grand Slam titles on her mind.
“I love the way we push each other,” the world No 1 told the press in Brisbane after the final. “It’s not like I’m thinking about her [Iga Swiatek], about her amount of Grand Slams. I’m more focusing on myself, just trying to push myself to the limit and see how far I can get in this sport. At the end of my career I want to look back and be proud of myself. We will talk about that at the end of my career.”
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