Not everyone would expect this—but Sabalenka names a rival who has troubled her almost as much as Serena. That surprised take is exactly what makes her recent comments worth reading: after a career full of headline matches, the world No. 1 pointed to one contemporary as her toughest foe outside of Serena Williams. But here's where it gets controversial... some fans will argue she left out other legends, and others will say she was spot-on. Read on to see why that debate exists.
Aryna Sabalenka has squared off with many of the sport's biggest names during her rise. Her only meeting with Serena Williams came at the 2021 Australian Open, a classic power-on-power encounter. Williams edged Sabalenka 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to move into the Melbourne quarterfinals, and that match remains a vivid benchmark of Sabalenka facing a generational great.
Beyond Serena, Sabalenka's résumé includes battles with former Slam champions such as Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep — players who, at their peak, combined tactical guile with big moments on the biggest stages. Yet when TNT Sports asked Sabalenka who the best player she had played was, her answer singled out two names: Serena and Iga Świątek. In her own words: "Wow, okay, the best? I mean, I played Serena once, so Serena and Iga [Świątek] probably." That frank reaction opened the door to talk about why Świątek, a dominant force in recent years, sits so high on Sabalenka's list.
And this is the part most people miss: the head-to-head history between Sabalenka and Świątek is fuller and more nuanced than a single scoreline. They have met 13 times on the tour, with Sabalenka holding five wins to Świątek's eight. Their first match was at the 2021 WTA Finals, where Sabalenka came from a set down to claim the victory — an early indicator that these contests would rarely be straightforward.
Świątek then strung together four consecutive wins over Sabalenka, taking victories in Doha, Stuttgart, Rome and at the US Open in New York. Those results suggested a period of Świątek's tactical superiority, especially on certain surfaces and in phases of peak form. Sabalenka, however, fought back: she ended that streak at the 2022 WTA Finals and registered her first clay-court win over Świątek in Madrid in 2023 — a notable achievement, since clay often suits Świątek's heavy topspin and movement. They met again in 2025, where Sabalenka got the better of Świątek in the Roland Garros semifinals, showing the rivalry still has momentum and swing.
Why does this rivalry matter? Surface, style and timing play huge roles. Sabalenka's game is built on power — big serves and aggressive groundstrokes — while Świątek mixes heavy spin, consistent depth and strategic variety. Against players like Serena and Świątek, small tactical adjustments and mental resilience decide matches. That context helps explain why Sabalenka named both those opponents when reflecting on the toughest challengers she has faced.
When asked to pick the most meaningful title in her career, Sabalenka didn't limit herself. She highlighted both the Australian Open and the US Open: "Oh my god, AO and US Open. I couldn't make it just one word, but yeah, Australian Open and US Open. I cannot pick one." That makes sense in light of her Grand Slam timeline. Sabalenka captured her first major at the 2023 Australian Open and successfully defended that crown in 2024. She then won the US Open in 2024 and defended that title in 2025, showing consistency at the top of the game across seasons and hard-court slams.
What remains on her to-do list is winning Wimbledon or Roland Garros; she reached the Paris final this season but has not yet completed a Grand Slam victory on grass or clay. Those unfinished chapters add an intriguing narrative: can she translate her power game to success on grass, or convert more clay finals into titles?
Bold point that might spark debate: by putting Świątek alongside Serena, Sabalenka elevated a contemporary over some past champions many fans might expect her to name — and that choice invites differing opinions about who truly deserves the "best faced" tag. Do you think that comparison undervalues players like Sharapova or Halep, or is it a fair reflection of recent competitive realities?
How many Grand Slam titles do you think Aryna Sabalenka will win in 2026? Will she finally conquer Wimbledon or add more Roland Garros silverware to her cabinet? Share your take in the comments — agree, disagree, or offer a counterpoint. Which rival do you think has been the toughest for Sabalenka, and why?
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