Aryna Sabalenka says her 'tiger' persona will help her thrive as tennis' new No. 1

Aryna Sabalenka told Insider she'll take "extra motivation" from seeing opponents "try to chase me" now that she's the top-ranked women's tennis star.

• Aryna Sabalenka is set to become tennis' new world No. 1 after the 2023 US Open.
• She says she's "not focusing on the ranking," especially as she heads into the US Open semifinals.
• But Sabalenka told Insider that seeing opponents "try to chase me" gives her motivation.

NEW YORK — Aryna Sabalenka is set to become the new No. 1 of women's tennis.

Known as "The Tiger" for her fierce demeanor, ferocious strokes on the tennis court, and the large tiger tattoo on her left arm, the 25-year-old Belarusian insists that she's "not focusing on the ranking" and that her mindset won't change once she assumes the mantle of her sport. But she's not naive; Sabalenka knows that opponents will be more driven than ever to take her down now that she's the top dog.

In true "Tiger" fashion, Sabalenka welcomes that challenge. After her straight-set victory over China's Qinwen Zheng in Wednesday's 2023 US Open quarterfinal, she said she felt motivated by the new target on her back.

"People will try to chase me and get me," Sabalenka told Insider. "But it's just an extra motivation for me. Seeing them really trying their best to beat me, it's an extra power and energy for me to keep playing, keep pushing, keep getting better."

Her team offered similar sentiments when they spoke to the press on Tuesday. Coach Anton Dubrov said that "when you're a leader and you still fight and win, this is what the mentality should be like wherever you are; No. 1, No. 10, you are your own opponent all the time and you try and be the best version of yourself every time."

Her fitness coach, Jason Stacy, warned that opponents should "be careful when you try and put a predator in the corner."

"It's not going to turn out well, you know what I'm saying?" Stacy said. "Try and chase a predator. See what happens."

As far as Sabalenka herself is concerned, Stacy is just "a fighter — like jujitsu — and they really like to talk a lot," she told Insider with a laugh.

"We are here pushing each other to the limits, and we're here getting better every day," Sabalenka said. "You know, I'm super happy with this achievement in my career, but it's not a big change."

"I have been No. 2, now I'm No. 1," she added. "It's just a difference of position in the draw. I still have to bring my best tennis. I still have to play my best. "

Sabalenka, who has advanced to the semis of all four Grand Slams this season, will look to keep up the momentum Thursday as she faces American Madison Keys in the US Open semifinals. She's seeking the second major championship of her career after winning the 2023 Australian Open in January.