Aryna Sabalenka is the biggest threat to Iga Swiatek in 2024 asserts Barbara Schett, compares the Pole to Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula too

Iga Swiatek will have Aryna Sabalenka as her main rival as she prepares for the 2024 season.

Aryna Sabalenka is the biggest threat to Iga Swiatek in 2024 asserts Barbara Schett, compares the Pole to Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula too

Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Barbara Schett ( Credits: tennisnet.com, InsideSport and Eurosport)

Former Austrian tennis player, Barbara Schett in a recent interview has expressed her opinion on how she feels that in the upcoming 2024 season, the World No.1, Iga Swiatek will face considerable and fierce competition from her rival, Aryna Sabalenka.

The retired Austrian tennis player and Eurosport expert recently discussed how the Belarusian can pose a huge threat and obstacle for the Polish especially on hard court events. Speaking further about how other specialised hardcourt players pose a challenge to the World No.1, the Austrian stated:

I think on the hard courts, it has to be somebody who hits the ball extremely hard, who has a lot of pace, who can put her (Swiatek) under pressure and have a big service. That is a [Elena] Rybakina, that is a Sabalenka. That has to be Coco Gauff. I would throw [Jessica] Pegula in the mix as we'll see how she's going to play, but she's capable of doing that.
Barbara Schett in an interview with Eurosport
YouTube video

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have been at it from the start of the year. As the Belarusian won the first tournament of the year, the Australian Open, Iga Swiatek made a swift comeback to clinch the French Open this year. The Polish also lost her number 1 ranking to the Belarusian after her shocking defeat to Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16 of the US Open. However, she made up for it with her incredible performance at the WTA Finals as she reclaimed her top spot and defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals of the tournament.

FS Video

Barbara Schett claims that the Polish has had some hard time on hard courts and feels that strong and aggressive hitting from players, especially Aryna Sabalenka will prove to be a challenge for the World No.1 and it would pressurise her in the major tournaments.

Barbara Schett has stated how she feels Karolina Muchova can also be a rival to Iga Swiatek

The retired Austrian player has talked about how hard courts prove to be a tricky surface for the Polish World No.1 and how a few players with more fast-paced games can challenge her.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek ( Credits: Aceify)

Speaking further about this, she added:

Maybe [Karolina] Muchova is somebody who can do that, who can also maybe mix it up a little bit but has a bit more pace than Ons Jabeur. Yeah, I think those players I've mentioned are going to be the biggest rivals. But if I had to choose one, I think it would be Sabalenka.

She feels that these players can be her main rival going into the 2024 season and that Iga Swiatek will have to definitely step up her game if he has to win the only 2 hard court clams of the season.

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