Aryna Sabalenka's victory over Amanda Anisimova came with a little feat as the Belarusian tennis star overtook Iga Swiatek for the most WTA Tour wins in 2025.
After losing to Anisimova in the Wimbledon semifinal and beating the American in the US Open final, Sabalenka found herself in another tight battle versus the world No. 4 - this time in the last-four stage of the WTA Finals. While it was a contest and the Belarusian trailed 2-3 through the opening five games of the third set, the world No. 1 stepped up when it mattered the most and completed a 6-3 3-6 6-3 win.
Going into the WTA Finals, Swiatek led the Tour in 2025 victories with 61. On the other side, Sabalenka had 59 wins under her belt. In Riyadh, the Pole went just 1-2 in the Round Robin and failed to reach the knock-out stage, finishing her season with 62 victories. Meanwhile, the Belarusian triumphed in all of her four Riyadh matches to get to 63 wins on the season and reach the championship match.
Since neither Sabalenka or Swiatek will play any tennis in the rest of 2025, this means that the Belarusian will finish as the player with the most wins captured on the WTA Tour this year.
Sabalenka on surviving a tight one against Anisimova
I remember the first point at three-all, there was a physically tough point -- and I felt, 'OK, shes out of breath and I need to keep pushing her, keep making her work for every point.' I felt like in that game it was the key; this mentality was the key. I was just trying to make her play the extra ball and it really worked and I was able to break. And that game gave me so much energy, power and confidence going into my serve," the world No. 1 reflected afterward.
Sabalenka will aim for her 64th win and her maiden WTA Finals title when she takes on Elena Rybakina in the Riyadh final.
