Elena Rybakina isn’t shying away from the challenge that lies ahead. As she prepares for a high-stakes fourth-round clash with Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros, the 12th seed offered glowing praise for her opponent’s relentless energy and clay-court dominance. With both players eyeing a spot in the quarter-finals, this matchup promises to be a headline-grabber on Sunday.
Their rivalry, tied at 4-4, has delivered some compelling tennis over the years. Though Rybakina has managed to hold her own, including two wins on clay, both victories came under conditions vastly different from those at the French Open—one in Stuttgart’s indoor arena earlier this year, and another via retirement at the 2023 Italian Open.
Despite that, Swiatek’s supremacy at Roland Garros is no secret. The reigning champion boasts a 24-match winning streak on Parisian clay, having lifted the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen four times in the past five editions. Her staggering 38-2 win-loss record at this venue only adds to the weight of her status as the overwhelming favourite.
Yet, Rybakina remains undeterred. Asked about the upcoming showdown, she acknowledged the steep climb ahead while pointing to her own experience and strategic readiness.
“Of course, she is very comfortable in this court. But I think every day every match is different,” said Rybakina. “Obviously, I would try to focus on myself mostly. We played so many times, so I know what to do. And we will see how it goes, but definitely I will do my best.”
Rybakina knows full well that facing Swiatek on clay is no walk in the park. The Pole’s top-spin-heavy game and court coverage can easily overwhelm even the best in the business. Her tactical versatility and physicality make her a tough nut to crack—especially in Paris, where she seems to grow roots in the baseline and never lets go.
“It’s tough to play against Iga on clay. She spins the ball really well, and she has unbelievable intensity on the court. So, it is not easy,” Rybakina added.
The Kazakh was quick to downplay the relevance of her previous clay victories over Swiatek, noting how tournament environments differ widely.
“But I feel like Stuttgart is special tournament because it’s indoor, and the clay is also different. In Rome, it was another condition, so, I cannot take it everything is the same,” she said. “It’s a tough opponent and she plays really well. She moves really well on the court. So it’s going to be a difficult one.”
With both players navigating recent highs and lows, this match becomes even more intriguing. Swiatek, who currently sits at No. 5 in the WTA rankings, has yet to reach a WTA final since her title-winning run at last year’s French Open. However, she’s come out firing in Paris this time around—cruising through her first three matches without dropping a set and reaffirming her title credentials.
Adding to her psychological edge, Swiatek has also bested Rybakina twice this year—once at the United Cup in January and again at the Qatar Open a month later.
On the flip side, Rybakina has had to weather a turbulent stretch of injury woes, illness setbacks, and off-court controversy. After slipping out of the WTA top-10, she’s been rebuilding her momentum. Recently, she found a spark—lifting her ninth career title in Strasbourg just days before the French Open began.
That victory seems to have breathed new life into the former Wimbledon champion, who then produced one of her sharpest performances of the season by knocking out 21st seed and former Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets during the third round.
Still, not everything has been smooth sailing. Rybakina’s camp has faced scrutiny due to her coach, Stefano Vukov, who is currently suspended by the WTA and prohibited from entering tournament grounds—an issue that has created additional noise around her campaign.
Even so, Rybakina enters this clash with a quiet confidence. She knows what it takes to disrupt Swiatek’s rhythm, and if she finds her range early, we could be in for another rollercoaster encounter between two of the game’s fiercest competitors. With contrasting styles—Rybakina’s precision and power versus Swiatek’s speed and spin—Sunday’s duel promises a spectacle worthy of centre court.
The tennis world waits with bated breath, as two proven Grand Slam champions prepare to collide once more—each with something to prove, and everything to play for.