*Sabalenka Holds On to World No. 1 Despite Wimbledon Heartbreak*
*By Clara Vance | Tennis World Daily | July 25, 2025*
LONDON — Under the brooding skies of SW19, Aryna Sabalenka fought with all the thunder and fury that had defined her season. But despite a valiant battle, the reigning World No. 1 fell in a pulsating Wimbledon semifinal to Amanda Anisimova, 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4. The loss denied Sabalenka her maiden Wimbledon final, yet the Belarusian powerhouse has managed to retain her top ranking — a testament to her extraordinary consistency throughout the year.
Sabalenka, 27, has now spent 54 consecutive weeks atop the WTA rankings, fending off challenges from perennial rival Iga Świątek, rising Spaniard Paula Badosa, and now, the surging Anisimova. Though the defeat on the lush Centre Court lawns was bitter, the numbers behind Sabalenka’s 2025 season tell a story of undeniable dominance.
A Titan Among Titans
Coming into Wimbledon, Sabalenka had claimed three titles this season: the Australian Open, Stuttgart, and Rome. Her relentless baseline aggression, devastating two-handed backhand, and vastly improved movement had transformed her into a nearly unbeatable force on hard and clay courts alike. Wimbledon remained the elusive jewel in her crown.
Her journey to the semifinals this year was clinical — wins over Petra Martić, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina in the quarters painted the picture of a woman destined for greatness. But Amanda Anisimova, the 23-year-old American who has reemerged as one of the tour’s most dangerous talents, had other ideas.
In a match filled with ferocious shot-making and dramatic momentum swings, Sabalenka clawed back from a set and a break down, only to see her hopes unravel late in the deciding set. A pair of double faults at 4-5, followed by an untimely backhand error, sealed her fate. Anisimova, tearful and triumphant, advanced to her first Wimbledon final — and later lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish with a stunning win over Barbora Krejčíková.
Grace in Defeat
Despite the loss, Sabalenka remained composed in the post-match press conference.
“I gave everything I had out there,” she said, holding back visible frustration. “Amanda played unbelievable tennis. Sometimes it’s just about a few points here and there. But I’m proud of the way I’ve fought this season. It’s not the end.”
Asked about her No. 1 ranking, she offered a resolute smile. “Of course, staying at the top means a lot. It shows I’ve been consistent, strong. But I don’t want to just be number one in the rankings — I want to win everywhere. Wimbledon is still on that list.”
Indeed, her ambitions remain sky-high. With the US Open approaching and the WTA Finals to follow, Sabalenka has every reason to believe her dominance is far from over.
### A Ranking Built on Steel
Statistically, Sabalenka’s position is unshakeable — for now. She leads the WTA standings with 8,470 points, more than 1,100 clear of Świątek, who was stunned in the fourth round by unseeded Brit Emma Raducanu in one of the tournament’s early shocks.
Her hold on the top spot is not merely a product of isolated success. Sabalenka has reached at least the semifinals in seven of the eight tournaments she’s played this year. Her Australian Open title defense in January — where she stormed past Świątek and Naomi Osaka — set the tone for her season. Clay, long considered her Achilles heel, became her stronghold, with masterful performances in Rome and Stuttgart.
What sets Sabalenka apart is not just her raw power but her growing maturity. Under the guidance of coach Anton Dubrov and mental conditioning expert Katya Chursina, she has transformed the explosive, sometimes erratic player of years past into a tactical, focused warrior.
“She’s no longer just a hitter,” said Martina Navratilova during Wimbledon coverage. “She’s thinking out there, solving problems, adapting. That’s why she’s number one — and why she’s staying there.”
### Rivalries Reignited
The next few months are shaping up to be a crucible for Sabalenka. Anisimova’s Wimbledon triumph vaults her into the Top 5 for the first time in her career, and Świątek remains hungry to reclaim the top ranking she held in 2022–23. Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff are still in the mix, while Maria Sakkari’s resurgence and Daria Kasatkina’s surprise run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals add to a deepening field.
Sabalenka, however, isn’t blinking.
“Pressure is something I’ve learned to use,” she said during a recent sit-down with Eurosport. “It doesn’t scare me anymore. It fuels me.”
That mindset will be crucial as she prepares for the North American hardcourt swing, starting with the Canadian Open in Montreal, followed by Cincinnati, and the US Open in New York — where she’s the defending champion.
### The Long Game
Beyond 2025, Sabalenka’s sights are firmly set on legacy. With two Grand Slam titles already in the bag (2023 US Open, 2024 Australian Open), she is keen to add more silverware and cement her status among the greats.
“There are always new players coming up, always someone younger, faster, hitting harder,” she said. “You have to keep evolving. I’m not satisfied. I want to be remembered as more than a number one — I want to be remembered as a complete champion.”
That fire, even in the face of a gut-wrenching Wimbledon exit, is why Aryna Sabalenka continues to reign.
—
*With the US Open around the corner, one thing is certain: the Queen of Power is far from done. Aryna Sabalenka may have fallen short at Wimbledon, but her reign at the top continues — not just in points, but in presence.*
Read more@ (sportonyou.com)
