2023-05-27 09:00:00
Tennis has officially entered a new era. For moons, the WTA has been desperately looking for a new big star, its new darling. However, there is cause for rejoicing, because there is not only one. Make way for the new Big Three.
For nearly two decades, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic outrageously dominated men’s tennis. The trio of players have been prolific and their success, like their rivalry, has benefited tennis globally.
From a historical point of view, nothing comes close or will ever come close to this prosperous period during which tennis could be defined by only three names. However, the Holy Trinity’s monopoly had the effect of casting a shadow over the women’s circuit.
Never, despite the epics of Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, has the WTA been able to match the ATP in terms of interest, caliber and enthusiasm.
Today, two of the three members of the Big Three are no longer competitive. Men’s tennis is thus more open and varied. The opportunity is therefore perfect for women’s tennis to take its rightful place.
Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have taken matters into their own hands since the start of the season. Their output is fairly consistent and their dominance has lasted long enough to say the following: there is a new Big Three. And that’s probably the best possible news for tennis in general.
a dominance
Unfortunately, the average fan has less interest in women’s tennis. Hard to blame him, because the whole system favors the male component. Starting with the hours of broadcast and the fact that a women’s final is eclipsed in less than 24 hours by that of the men.
However, you have to look at the brilliance of the three players to understand how exceptional their hold on their sport is.
First, they have won the last four major tournaments. Then, in the first five WTA 1000 caliber tournaments of the season, all finals have involved at least one of them.
Then, probably the most breathless observation, a real rivalry took hold within the triad.
In career, Świątek has won five of his eight encounters against Sabalenka. Sabalenka has won four of her five matches against Rybakina. And Rybakina triumphed three times in four duels against Świątek.
A virtuous circle that all tennis fans should enjoy. Finally, women’s tennis has its heroines, acting as long-term pillars. Luckily, this three-way fight has the potential to go on for a long time yet. Świątek is 21, Sabalenka has just celebrated her 25th birthday and Rybakina will celebrate her 24the birthday in less than a month.
PHOTO CHRISTOPHE ENA, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
End of the day at the Roland-Garros stadium in Paris last year
A lottery
Now, on the sidelines of the second major tournament of the season, predicting the eventual final is of fabulous complexity.
Logically, Świątek should have the primacy. She is at the top of the world rankings and logically the best player in the world on clay. She has won top honors twice in the last three seasons at Porte d’Auteuil and she has won two titles this season. However, a knee injury suffered in Rome could thwart his plans.
PHOTO BENOIT TESSIER, ARCHIVES REUTERS
Defending champion Iga Świątek, who beat Coco Gauff in the final
Sabalenka, recognized more for her qualities as a hard-court player, never ceases to amaze on clay. She played in two finals against Świątek and won one of them, in Stuttgart. His early elimination in Rome will undoubtedly have allowed him to recharge his batteries after an electric and fairly busy start to the season. She now has the necessary tools to aspire to great honors at Roland-Garros and the quality of her travels only improves her chances. She is the best player in 2023 with three titles.
Rybakina, for her part, clears her own path quietly. She has just won top honors in Rome – three of her opponents had to retire in the middle of the match, but this exceptional trajectory does not detract from her title. Her results of the last few months are enough to make her feared. Although she is not known for her game on the red sand, her athleticism will compensate for her more explosive nature, often at a disadvantage on this surface.
Roland-Garros often has surprises in store. Be that as it may, the odds are rather in favor of the presence of at least one of the three attackers in the final. The outcome of the match will be almost marginal, because with this new leading trio, tennis has already won.
Five players who could surprise
Even if the fight between Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina seems concrete, no major tournament is immune to surprises. Here are five unexpected players with the potential to shake the columns of the temple.
Bianca Andreescu
PHOTO MARTIN BUREAU, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Bianca Andreescu
No, it’s not going on clay this season. Two games, two losses. Andreescu, however, is recovering from an ankle injury, and the last few weeks in training, it seems, have been beneficial. Last year, she surprised everyone when she returned to clay. In March, she had a sublime streak in Miami. History has taught us never to underestimate Grand Slam tournament champions.
Beatriz Haddad Maia
PHOTO GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE, REUTERS
Beatriz Haddad Maia
The Brazilian has been surprising for a year. The left-hander has a perfect playing style for clay. The 14e world player had good times in Stuttgart and Rome, but it’s more her pedigree that impresses. This season, she will have made life difficult for Rybakina, Paula Badosa and Daria Kasatkina, in particular. It does not have the experience of its rivals in top 10, but a breakthrough in a major tournament is possible. It is on clay that she has the best chance of achieving this.
Veronika Kudermetova
PHOTO OF ALEKSANDRA SZMIGIEL, REUTERS
Veronika Kudermetova
Two semi-finals in his last two tournaments. Kudermotova is another clay court specialist. His game is rarely clean, but often effective. It’s been more than two years since she tasted a title and she tends to die out against higher ranked players. She has regained momentum in Madrid, but her game still has some flaws making it impossible to enter the top 10. She would probably need a good streak in a major tournament to open the valves.
Jelena Ostapenko
PHOTO GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE, REUTERS
Jelena Ostapenko
We had forgotten it, but Ostapenko forces us to consider it again. When she won at Roland-Garros in 2017, she was seen as one of the most beautiful projects in women’s tennis. However, injuries, a lack of consistency and problems off the field have slowed his momentum. Water has flowed under the bridges and the 25-year-old player is back in the top 10. She lost to Rybakina in Rome in the semi-finals, but before that she got rid of Paula Badosa, Daria Kasatkina and Barbora Krejčíková.
Belinda Bencic
PHOTO GEOFF BURKE, ARCHIVES USA TODAY SPORTS
Belinda Bencic
No one would be amazed if Belinda Bencic were to finish the tournament with the trophy at arm’s length. After all, the 26-year-old is at 12e world rank. However, it has been under the radar for two seasons. And yet, even if the consistency was lacking before the current campaign, she seems to be getting back on her feet. The Swiss played only one tournament on clay, in Charleston, and she reached the final. Currently, she is fifth among the players with the most points in 2023. Bencic is a fighter and smart, so if an opportunity arises, she could take it.
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