Iga Swiatek has a growing rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka that could end up being historic, and she talked about it ahead of the 2024 Roland Garros.
Sabalenka and Swiatek have been the top two names in tennis for well over a year now. The Belarusian's rise started last year in Melbourne with her Australian Open win, culminating in her becoming world number one last year.
The Pole regained the world's number one ranking by the end of the year, but the rivalry is not going anywhere. They faced each other in the final in back-to-back events in Madrid and Rome and could face each other in Paris as well.
They even joked about that during the trophy ceremony in Rome. It's a fantastic rivalry and one that could end up being historic. Swiatek talked about it ahead of Roland Garros, admitting that neither is really looking to make it anything more than a simple rivalry.
"We’ll see about if it's going to go to the history books, because honestly, I don't think either I or Aryna are focusing on that. We are more focusing on our own journeys."
"But for sure if you are going to play well, and we are playing well consistently, we will face each other in important matches. I think it's great, because, she's been No. 2 for a long time and she has already proven that she can play great tennis."
Beating Swiatek in Paris is almost impossible, but Sabalenka is excited about the challenge. The world no. 1 is equally excited about battling the Belarusian because it's never an easy match. No player generally gives her as much trouble as Sabalenka does.
"For sure when we play against each other, I feel like it's a challenge. I think it's also pushing me to become a better and better player, so I think we both kind of need each other to grow."
"But for sure this rivalry is exciting for the fans, as well. I guess if it's going to go to history books, they're also going to have some impact on it."
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