“It’s not about the surface” Aryna Sabalenka dismisses all comparisons with Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina

The World No. 2 feels it is the key moments which is the actual differentiator on the day of the match.

“It’s not about the surface” Aryna Sabalenka dismisses all comparisons with Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina

(L) Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, (R) Elena Rybakina and Sabalenka (Via Imago)

Just as there’s talk of the ‘Big-3’ in men’s tennis, the women’s side has its own rising stars. Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina are often touted as the WTA’s ‘Big Three’, but it appears they’re not particularly fond of these comparisons.

Recently, WTA No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka has brushed off these comparisons right away. Despite the talk about court surfaces affecting their rivalry, Sabalenka played down the importance of clay, grass, and hard court differences. She emphasized that it’s about key moments rather than the surface.

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For context, each of the players has a specific court preference, fueling such continuous comparisons. As per general consensus, Swiatek’s domain is the clay court, grass favors Rybakina and the hard court belongs to Sabalenka. 

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Sabalenka has played the Pole 10 times, and Elena Rybakina nine times. She has beaten Swiatek on clay multiple times, the 2023 Madrid Open being the last win, and Rybakina on grass as well.

Well, obviously Iga is much better on clay than me, for example. I would say Elena is better on grass. I'm maybe a little bit better on hard court. At the same time, I cannot say that it's all about the surface. I mean, as time shows, I can beat them on clay, on hard, on grass. It's not about the surface, I would say. It's about honestly in each match a couple of key moments where, like, probably she played better. 
said Aryna Sabalenka via Rome Open press

For the Italian Open, the three stars are placed in different quarters. While Swiatek leads the first quarter, Rybakina and Sabalenka lead the third and fourth quarters, respectively. This means that the Kazakh might play Sabalenka in the semi-finals, and can only play Swiatek in the finals. 

Aryna Sabalenka puts the tough loss Madrid Open loss behind her and gears up for Rome

Sabalenka does not shy away from speaking about her heartbreaking losses in tennis. Following a tough loss at the Mutua Madrid Open finals against World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, the Belarusian addressed the frustration of the loss and how she looks to improve from it.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka (Via Imago)
I suffer a little bit, I crashed my racquet, that's how emotional I am. But I just throw it out once; I was OK afterward. Now you lost, but you have thousands of opportunities to get that win. It's just momentum and you just have to be [respectful]. You just have to accept the loss and just move on and work and try better next time.
said Aryna Sabalenka to the Rome Open press

After a first-set loss in the finals, the WTA No.2 came back to try to pose a comeback. She fought extremely hard till the very end, losing to Swiatek in the third set tie-break. Currently, after a first-round bye, the Belarusian awaits her second-round opponent in Rome.

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