Aryna Sabalenka warns Iga Swiatek of serious ramifications if they’re stranded in desert
During her Indian Wells campaign, Iga Swiatek said she would be safe with arch-rival Aryna Sabalenka if they were stranded in a desert.
Follow Us
Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X)
What will happen if Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka are left alone in a desert without food? Simple. Swiatek would perish because she would become a meal of ‘tiger’ Sabalenka.
Both Sabalenka and Swiatek are at the Indian Wells Open where they progressed to the quarterfinals. Sabalenka is bidding to become a champion in singles in the California desert for the first time. During the tournament, Swiatek was asked who she would pick to be lost in a desert.
Okay, I’m gonna choose Aryna because if she’s gonna be like a tiger, she’s gonna probably hunt for some food and we’ll be safe with that.
Iga Swiatek said in a video shared by Indian Wells
Sabalenka, who has the tiger tattoo on her left forearm, liked the idea of being entrusted with the responsibility of finding food. But if the ‘tiger’ couldn’t find food and got hungry, scary ramifications would await Swiatek.
I got you. I got you, Iga. We’re gonna survive. I’m gonna bring you food. Don’t worry. Listen, could go either way. If there wouldn’t be food, I would go for her probably, you know. So it’s kinda like a good and bad option for her. I’ll do my best to do everything so we are not hungry and we’re safe.
Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference
Sabalenka is a doubles champion at the Indian Wells. The 26-year-old came close to lifting the singles title in 2023 when she reached the final but was defeated by Elena Rybakina.
She arrived in the United States following a mediocre campaign in the Middle East Swing where she was defeated in the Qatar Open opener and Dubai Open third round. The World No.1 is searching for her second title of the season following her win at the Brisbane International.
Iga Swiatek compares balls in Doha and Dubai with potatoes
Iga Swiatek criticized the balls used in the Middle East Swing. After her Australian Open semifinals exit, Swiatek arrived in Doha to chase a fourth consecutive title.
She failed in her endeavor as Jelena Ostapenko secured a straight-set win in the semifinals over her to extend the head-to-head record to 5-0. The Pole then fell to eventual winner Mirra Andreeva in straight sets in the Dubai Open quarterfinals.
Everyone gets upset when they lose. I expected better results in both Doha and Dubai. In tennis, it’s important to leave it behind and focus on the future, and I’ve done that quite well. I don’t expect to win every tournament. After Dubai, we had more time to train. The balls were terrible in Doha and Dubai; they felt like potatoes, so I focused and trained here to feel a bit better.
Iga Swiatek said at the press conference
Swiatek is still searching for her first WTA title since the 2024 French Open. At Indian Wells, she is a two-time winner and also the defending champion.
She kickstarted her Sunshine Doubles campaign in an emphatic fashion, beating Caroline Garcia and Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 6-0 and 6-0, 6-2, respectively. Swiatek then powered past Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-1 to move to her third consecutive quarterfinals in the third WTA 1000 tournament of the season.
Iga Swiatek to lock horns with Qinwen Zheng
Iga Swiatek is scheduled to lock horns with eighth seed Qinwen Zheng on Thursday (March 13). Zheng, who reached the quarterfinals for the first time at Indian Wells, moved past Marta Kostyuk in straight sets in the fourth round.
Swiatek holds a dominating 6-1 head-to-head record over the Chinese. The five-time Grand Slam champion, however, lost the last match they played in the 2024 Paris Olympics semifinal. Both of them are chasing their first title of the season.
Stay Updated!
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)