Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina have locked horns with one another on multiple momentous occasions, including several Grand Slam and WTA 1000 level finals. Sabalenka has a good record against Rybakina, getting the better of the Kazakh six out of the nine times that she has faced her.
However, she hasn’t fared so well against Swiatek, suffering seven losses in the ten matches they have played against each other. The most recent loss was in the final of the Madrid Open this week, in which Sabalenka had three championship points snatched away from her.
After this heartbreaking match, the Belarusian opened up about how she wants to win more matches against the World No. 1 as it currently seems like a one-sided affair. Sabalenka also said she hopes to meet Swiatek in more such finals and get the better of her more consistently while smiling about the answer.
I really want to see many more finals against her. I want to see more wins than losses. Aryna Sabalenka said
She also wished that the ongoing rivalries between the top three women in the world blossom into something likening the Big 3 on the men’s side.
I really hope that we'll be able to keep the level or increase the level every year and just to be one of those three, that's amazing, and I'm really happy to be one of these Big 3, you call us. Aryna Sabalenka added
With all three of the players are finding their grooves again, the French Open is bound to be a very exciting tournament for women’s tennis.
Sabalenka says staying a part of the women’s Big 3 motivates her to keep improving & get as many wins as she can against them
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 4, 2024
“You have played some roller coasters against lga. Do you consider this rivalry and your matches can be a classic in the future?”
Aryna: “Wow, that's a… pic.twitter.com/81ivbwTkNU
Sabalenka is known for her funny post-match interviews and speeches. Her happy and humorous side shines through in such moments, irrespective of the match outcome.
Yesterday was no different as the sportive World No. 2 delivered yet another light-hearted speech after collecting her Madrid Open runners-up trophy. Despite losing the third set after having three championship points, the Belarusian had some jokes up her sleeve.
Hopefully next year it goes to me. Sabalenka said, as she congratulated Swiatek on her incredible win
Aryna Sabalenka after losing to Iga Swiatek in Madrid final:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 4, 2024
Actually I’m supposed to start from Iga. Congrats on another great tournament. You did an incredible job. Hopefully next year it goes to me . 3 hours. That’s a long one. Hopefully we recover fast for the next… pic.twitter.com/usETVeEw9M
The tour now moves to the Italian Open, which starts on May 6, and its main draw is scheduled from May 8. Sabalenka has never managed to win the Rome title, whereas her Pole counterpart is a two-time winner of the tournament. Rybakina happens to be the defending champion for this year.
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