(Reuters) – World number one Iga Swiatek hopes that she, along with Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, can continue to perform at a high level for years to come. However, she expressed uncertainty about who will dominate in 2024. Since the retirement of former world number one Ash Barty in March 2022, the trio have won five of the last seven Grand Slam titles. Swiatek alone has claimed three titles, including two French Open titles, while Rybakina and Sabalenka have each won one.
Their intense competition has led to comparisons with the men’s “Big Three” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Swiatek acknowledged the difficulty of predicting which among them will build on their success. “It’s too hard to predict,” she said, “In the past (few) years there has always been one player who suddenly had a breakthrough and won a Grand Slam or was in the top five.”
Swiatek expressed her belief that she and her two competitors are more consistent than others, but she admitted to having no idea who will emerge as the standout player. She also noted Ons Jabeur as a consistent player when not injured, emphasizing that the season’s trajectory can also be influenced by injuries and preparation.
Looking ahead, Swiatek is expected to contend for an Olympic title in Paris next year, as the tennis tournament will be held on the red clay of Roland Garros. “This time is going to be a little bit different,” she remarked, reflecting on her second-round loss to Paula Badosa at the Tokyo Games. “I’m going to know the venue. It’s going to be on my favourite surface. On the other hand, these also bring up more expectations from the outside.” She emphasized the need to approach the tournament with the same level of preparation and focus as any other.
Swiatek’s remarks came as she prepared for next month’s Australian Open, where she will compete in the United Cup mixed team tournament. “I guess I’ll have to do the same kind of work I do at every other tournament,” she stated, “I’m not going to lie to myself that it’s going to be easy or the same because it’ll be different.”
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
