Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, or Elena Rybakina? Former WTA star picks favourite player
Elena Rybakina has been picked as former WTA star Julia Goerges’ favourite current player ahead of Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
Former world No 9 Goerges was one of the most respected WTA players of her era, winning seven WTA titles and reaching the last four of Wimbledon in 2018.
The German retired from the sport in 2020 after a 15-year-long professional career and has been an avid spectator since.
Since her retirement in 2020, Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Rybakina have developed into some of the dominant forces on the WTA Tour.
Current world No 1 Sabalenka is a winner of three Grand Slam singles titles, while world No 2 Swiatek has won five major titles – and has spent 125 weeks atop the WTA Rankings.
In contrast, current world No 6 Rybakina has not matched Swiatek and Sabalenka’s achievements.
However, the Kazakh has proven a strong rival for both women and has reached a career-high of world No 3 – alongside winning Wimbledon in 2022.
Speaking to Tennis Magazine in Germany, Goerges described Rybakina as a player who “plays” to win big matches, and who possesses a game that could see her threaten more at majors in the future.
She said: “I really like Elena Rybakina because I can relate to her way of playing tennis.
“She plays without compromise. Unlike her groundstrokes and her serve, she can do better at the net.
“I like those sharp, saturated shots and that good serve. I think that’s how you win Grand Slam tournaments. Rybakina doesn’t hope for it, she plays for it.
“I really like Iga Swiatek athletically, with the way she moves. I haven’t seen Aryna Sabalenka for a while. She trains incredibly hard and has been improving over the years.
“She [Sabalenka] fully deserves her place at the top of the world rankings – but if I had to pick one, it would be Rybakina.”
WTA Tour News
Iga Swiatek’s doping ban: ‘Corruption is everywhere’ comment made by former world No 3
Iga Swiatek’s coach names her ‘toughest’ rival – and it’s not Aryna Sabalenka
Rybakina’s 2024 season was marred by injury and illness, with the Kazakh hitting double figures with her number of withdrawals across the year.
However, despite her physical struggles, the 25-year-old still managed to finish 2024 as the world No 6, and win three WTA Tour titles.
Alongside triumphs in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart, Rybakina was also a beaten finalist in Doha and Miami, while she reached the last four of Wimbledon and the last eight of Roland Garros.
Having split with long-term coach Stefano Vukov back in August, Rybakina has begun working with former world No 2 and fellow SW19 champion Goran Ivanisevic.
Ivanisevic has coached Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic to Grand Slam success and hopes will be high that Rybakina can end a three-year wait for a second Slam in 2024.
Notably, legendary serve and volleyer Ivanisevic may also be able to help the Kazakh with her net game – the one area Goerges suggested she could improve.
Rybakina is not the only star heading into 2025 with a relatively new coach, with Swiatek looking to continue her new partnership with Wim Fissette.
Both women will aim to topple Sabalenka in 2025, with the Belarusian a clear world No 1 after triumphs at both the Australian Open and US Open in 2024.
Read Next: Australian Open women’s singles projected seeds – Sabalenka No 1, Swiatek & Gauff chasing
