Andrea Petkovic has outlined what she thinks the key difference is between two of the biggest rivalries on the ATP and WTA tours.
For the former, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are the standout options, as the two best male players on the planet by a considerable margin.
Between them, they have won all of the last seven Grand Slam titles, and are showing no signs of allowing anyone to disrupt their duopoly anytime soon.
On the women’s side, however, things are far more open, despite Aryna Sabalenka being the clear best player in the world, ahead of Iga Swiatek, with the world rankings supporting this.
However, after her recent Wimbledon triumph, ending a title drought that had lasted over a year, Petkovic has now given her thoughts on this WTA pair.
Andrea Petkovic rates Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek’s rivalry
Having met 13 times on court, Swiatek and Sabalenka’s rivalry is undeniable.
They have challenged on the biggest stages for some of tennis’ greatest honours, and are justifiably seen as two of the best players the WTA have to offer.
Petkovic certainly thinks as much, and yet despite outlining them as the women’s answer to Alcaraz and Sinner, she has sought to distinguish between the two rivalries.
Speaking on her Becker Petkovic podcast, she admitted: “I’ve said it several times, for me, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are the two best players in the world.
“They’re like [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz. The problem is, they’re not as consistent as Sinner and Alcaraz at the Grand Slams. The others, the [Coco] Gauffs, the [Jessica] Pegulas, can knock them out every now and then, which happens less with the men. But when everyone is playing their best tennis, Iga and Aryna are clear of the rest of the field.”
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s rivalry is unique
Whilst Sabalenka and Swiatek obviously have a great mutual respect for one another, there have naturally been a few spiky moments across their rivalry.
This is the key difference between Alcaraz and Sinner and every other rivalry: They are uniquely friendly to one another.
When they lose, they are gracious. When they win, they are almost apologetic.
The 22-year-old’s win over Sinner in the French Open final, where he came back from two sets to love down in the most dramatic fashion, should have been the greatest triumph of his career thus far.
And yet, in the aftermath, he only spoke glowingly about his opponent, stating in his on-court interview: “The level you have is amazing.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty Images
“It is a privilege to share a court with you in every tournament and in making history.”
Swiatek and Sabalenka are obviously cordial, but their respective desire to win the greatest titles almost prevents them from having such a relationship.
Alcaraz and Sinner are unlike anything we’ve ever seen at the top of the men’s or women’s sport.