Iga Swiatek defeated Gao Xinyu, 6-2, 6-3, in the second round of the China Open.
During her post-match press conference, Swiatek was asked for her thoughts on comments made by Aryna Sabalenka in Beijing. “Aryna [Sabalenka] was saying that she’s kind of motivated to retake the number-one ranking since she’s landed in China, and she feels a lot more motivated than she has in the past, playing through the last weeks of the season where maybe rankings were clinched. Do you feel a little bit of the same way, like there is something tangible for you to be playing for through the end of this year?” one reporter asked.
Swiatek responded to the reporter, weighing in on Sabalenka’s comments while outlining her own goals for the remainder of the 2026 WTA season.
Iga Swiatek ‘understands’ Aryna Sabalenka as she targets WTA Finals qualification
“Yeah, my season wasn’t super positive, so I feel there’s a lot of space to go up. It’s always a good feeling because you have something to work towards, too,” said Swiatek.
“I understand Aryna because when you’re number one, yeah, you feel like everybody has a target on your back. You just run away. You’re being chased instead of chasing. I totally understand what she feels. But obviously everybody has a different story. Doesn’t make sense to compare.”
Swiatek and Sabalenka, two of the greatest players of this generation, both failed to win Grand Slam titles in 2026. Swiatek, in particular, struggled, and has fallen to 10th in the WTA rankings.
Live WTA Rankings
| Rank | Player | Country | Points | Gap to #1 |
| 1 | Elena Rybakina | Kazakhstan | 9,696 | – |
| 2 | Aryna Sabalenka | Belarus | 7,485 | 2,211 |
| 3 | Jessica Pegula | USA | 6,225 | 3,471 |
| 4 | Coco Gauff | USA | 5,919 | 3,777 |
| 5 | Mirra Andreeva | Russia | 5,786 | 3,910 |
| 6 | Elina Svitolina | Ukraine | 4,874 | 4,822 |
| 7 | Linda Noskova | Czechia | 4,624 | 5,072 |
| 8 | Karolina Muchova | Czechia | 4,623 | 5,073 |
| 9 | Marta Kostyuk | Ukraine | 3,910 | 5,786 |
| 10 | Iga Swiatek | Poland | 3,849 | 5,847 |
She also sits 10th in the ‘Live WTA Race’, outside the WTA Finals qualification places. Swiatek risks missing out on the WTA Finals for the first time in six years if she doesn’t close the gap.
Live WTA Race
- 1. Elena Rybakina – 7,502 points
- 2. Aryna Sabalenka – 6,550 points
- 3. Jessica Pegula – 5,825 points
- 4. Mirra Andreeva – 5,786 points
- 5. Coco Gauff – 5,719 points
- 6. Elina Svitolina – 4,874 points
- 7. Karolina Muchova – 4,465 points
- 8. Linda Noskova – 4,299 points
- 9. Marta Kostyuk – 3,910 points
- 10. Iga Swiatek- 3,649 points
“That’s the goal. I’m going to be fighting for that. Obviously, I’m aware. But it doesn’t change the fact that it still feels pretty far, as there are many tournaments where you can gain many points,” said Swiatek.
“I try to just take it step by step because if I’m focused only on the next match, this is where I perform my best. I’ve never been in this position, so for sure it’s another experience in my career.”
Swiatek could move back into the top eight (qualification places) with a deep run in Beijing, but who will she play next at the China Open?
Iga Swiatek’s route to the China Open title
Swiatek will return to take on Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the third round. Swiatek leads Vekic 4-0 in their head-to-head and will surely fancy her chances of extending that winning record and booking her spot in the last 16.
She could then play Iva Jovic, Harriet Dart, or Kamilla Rakhimova in the fourth round. Swiatek would be the favourite in all three potential match-ups, although Jovic could cause her issues, having won the Guadalajara Open last time out.
In the quarter-finals, Swiatek could meet Coco Gauff. Swiatek and Gauff have played 16 matches, and the Pole leads the head-to-head 11-5. However, the tide has turned, and the American has won their last four matches.
Then, Swiatek could play Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals and Sabalenka in the final. She won’t want to get ahead of herself, though, and will remain focused on her next match against Vekic. Swiatek will play Vekic for a spot in the last 16 of the China Open on Monday, October 5.
