Elena Rybakina gets brutally honest on Iga Swiatek's game, 2023 season

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Elena Rybakina described Iga Swiatek as "really a tough opponent" and highlighted that the Pole is having another great season. Over the last year and a half, not many players have had a lot of success against Swiatek. But 24-year-old Rybakina is a completely different story as she is 3-0 against Swiatek during that period.

After winning eight titles last year - including two Grand Slams - Swiatek has won five titles this year, including one Slam title. Although Swiatek has had notable success in 2023, some still think that the Pole hasn't had a great season.

Rybakina disagrees with that claim. “She’s a really tough opponent. I know every point is going to be difficult because she’s fighting and running a lot. She’s so consistent throughout the year. Last year and even now I think it was great results.

Just a tough opponent," Rybakina said of Swiatek on Tennis Channel, via The Tennis Letter.

Elena Rybakina says Iga Swiatek had great results this year:

“She’s a really tough opponent. I know every point is going to be difficult because she’s fighting & running a lot.

She’s so consistent throughout the year. Last year & even now I think it was great results. Just a… pic.twitter.com/kipiAJCoyu — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 12, 2023

Rybakina, Coco Gauff defend Swiatek

Last week in Beijing, reigning US Open champion Gauff suffered a 2-6 3-6 loss to Swiatek.

After the match, Gauff suggested it was ridiculous to think that Swiatek wasn't having a great season. “I mean, I've seen some of the comments people are saying, like she had not a good season. I mean, she won a Grand Slam and was No 1 forever.

I'm like, I would dream to have the season like she had this year," Gauff said of Swiatek's season after losing to the Pole in Beijing. After failing to defend her US Open title, Swiatek addressed ridiculous expectations that were placed on her.

In her message, Swiatek suggested that after her astonishing 2022 season, people probably expected her to win every singles tournament. Last week, Swiatek lifted her first title since Warsaw when she won Beijing. Swiatek will play again later this month, when she kicks off her WTA Finals campaign in Cancun.