World No. 1 Sabalenka, Swiatek Meet in French Open Semi-Final After TikTok Bonding

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, long-time rivals and the two leading contenders for the WTA World No. 1 spot, will face off in the French Open semi-finals, marking their first Grand Slam meeting since the 2022 US Open. Despite a previously frosty relationship with little communication or practice together, their rapport warmed significantly following a TikTok dance they shared at the 2023 WTA Finals in Riyadh, which Sabalenka credits as the first step toward a better relationship. Sabalenka, the current World No. 1 and top seed, has reached the semi-finals in nine of the last ten Grand Slams she entered and is aiming for her first Roland Garros title. Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion with five Grand Slam titles, has a winning record against Sabalenka, including a notable victory in the 2024 Madrid Open final. The semi-final match, however, was scheduled early in the day, leading to many empty seats and sparking criticism about the timing of women's matches at the tournament. Despite a dip in form and a ranking slip to No. 5, Swiatek remains the player to beat in Paris following a strong quarter-final performance.