Iga Swiatek talked about her rivalries in tennis, naming herself among the top three players in the world but omitting a name that's currently in the top three - Coco Gauff.
At the 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, the Polish player was discussing her tennis after the loss to Elena Rybakina at the 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, putting herself, Elena Rybakina, and Aryna Sabalenka in the top three of women's tennis right now.
However, the official rankings, which provide an overview of the current state of tennis over the last 52-week period, show that there's currently one player above the Kazakhstani player, and that's American super talent Coco Gauff.
However, the rankings don't always show current form, which may be viewed as more important by players when assessing their rivals, and that may be something that the Pole also assessed when talking about the top three players on the WTA Tour at the moment.
"Well, there is no, like, one specific thing (that I find tricky when facing Elena Rybakina). I just think, you know, honestly probably me, Aryna, and her are the best players on tour, honestly. She had struggles with some injury, but every time she's healthy she is playing well."
"Well, there is no, like, o and her are the best players on tour, honestly. She had struggles with some injury, but every time she's healthy she is playing well."
Still, Swiatek's assessment shouldn't come off as a huge surprise because she likely approaches it from her own perspective. She's had very little trouble with Gauff over the years while having far more trouble with Sabalenka and Rybakina.
Even though Gauff is currently ranked number 3 in the world, in Swiatek's eyes, she may be below these two players because she's never really been able to challenge her. The list of defeats the Polish player handed her over the years is long.