Aryna Sabalenka refuses to clearly divide the WTA circuit into a ‘big three’ of her, Iga Swiatek, Jelena Rybakina and other players
Aryna Sabalenka refuses to clearly divide the WTA circuit into a ‘big three’ of her, Iga Swiatek, Jelena Rybakina and other players
Aryna Sabalenka refuses to clearly divide the WTA circuit into a ‘big three’ of her, Iga Swiatek, Jelena Rybakina and other players
Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Jelena Rybakina have dominated the WTA circuit in recent years. But Sabalenka doesn’t think the three are in a league of their own. Six of the past eight Grand Slam women’s singles winners have been Swiatek, Sabalenka and Rybakina. The trio also won other competitions. All competed in the semi-finals in Madrid, with Swiatek facing Sabalenka in the final. The trio are currently in Italy to win the Italian Open, but the Belarusian has not accepted being separated from other WTA players. “I know we have rivals, so guys like me, Iga and Elena, and I think we’re probably playing more regularly than in previous years. Probably last year and this year so far,” Sabalenka said at the Italian Open press conference.
She said, “I think anyone can beat anyone in tennis. When you start thinking that my level is there, that they’re somewhere, what can I say, you don’t respect them, you underestimate them, and it’s like you lose it because you’re not. ..saying is not enough to focus,” she added.
She reiterated that Sabalenka doesn’t think too much about the rankings and is all about focusing on the field. I want to continue to do my best and stay in the top three for as long as possible.
Aryna Sabalenka does not believe in the superficial meaning for her, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina
At the same press conference, Aryna Sabalenka was asked whether she, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina are better than each other on certain surfaces. Sabalenka said surfaces don’t matter and it’s the key moments in each match that matter.
“Well, I mean, Iga is obviously a much better player on clay than me, for example. I think Elena plays better on grass. Maybe I can play a little better on hard courts,” Sabalenka said. “At the same time, I can’t say it’s all about the surface. I mean, as time shows, I can beat them on clay, on hard court, on grass. It\’s not about the surface, I would say. It\’s about honestly in each match couple of key moments where, like, probably she played better,\” she added. A trio of WTA top stars will begin their 2024 Italian Open campaign on Friday, May 10th.
