Elena Rybakina assessed her chances of winning the 2024 Roland Garros after lifting a trophy on clay at the WTA 500 event in Stuttgart.
The Kazakhstani player had a good run at the French Open last year, but it ended due to sickness. The first event the Kazakhstani played on clay this year ended up with her lifting the trophy.
En route to the trophy, Rybakina bested Iga Swiatek, who is considered Roland Garros' main favorite. She won it last year and two more times, so there is a history as to why many consider her the most likely to win it.
Rybakina had a really good run last year, looking rather unchallenged for the first few rounds. Unfortunately, her stay in Paris was cut short by a sickness that left her bedridden for a few days after that event.
She's certainly among those who will be considered favorites to win it this year, though. What does she think? Well, she talked to the media about her chances after beating Marta Kostyuk in the 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final.
"Well, I always believe in myself, of course, but it's not only depends on me. There is a lot of great players, tough opponents. But I know if I feel fresh, if I'm physically ready, healthy, I'm playing my game, of course I have all the chances to win Grand Slam on any surface."
Rybakina's belief in herself is hugely important because she won't win if she doesn't believe that she is capable of beating the Polish player once again. She bested Swiatek on clay this week, which should boost her confidence.
The courts at Roland Garros play quite a bit differently than in Stuttgart, and the change likely benefits Swiatek more, and that's another factor that the world no. 4 will have to deal with. Her best tennis is good enough to win it, but whether she'll actually find it remains to be seen.
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