Iga Swiatek has ‘target on her back’ and is ‘still the player to beat’ says Chris Evert ahead of Indian Wells

07.03.2023 - 13:45 eurosport.com

Eurosport expert Chris Evert believes Iga Swiatek has “a target on her back” and is still “the player to beat” on the WTA Tour.

This year has been a mixed season for Swiatek as she lost in the fourth round of the Australian Open to Elena Rybakina, came back in February with a dominant week at the Qatar Open to win her first title of 2023, but then lost in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Ad It is coming up to a year since Swiatek turned world No. 1, following Ash Barty’s surprise retirement, and she has a big lead over the rest of the tour in the WTA rankings.

WTA Dubai‘I’m just human’ – Swiatek defends herself from fans’ high expectations28/02/2023 AT 11:24 “We know she has the game physically,” Evert told Eurosport's Arnold Montgault. “We know she's a great competitor, and she's a great athlete.

tennis Sporting athletics on player Elena Rybakina Iga Swiatek Ash Barty Chris Evert Qatar Australia India Dubai

Iga Swiatek's absence from the Miami Open due to a rib injury «might be a good thing for her tennis», believes Mats Wilander. Swiatek lost comprehensively in the semi-finals of last week's Indian Wells to Elena Rybakina, and talked after that match of the problems she had experienced in coping with the muscle strain. Ad It looked doubtful she would compete in Miami, and that proved the case as she announced her withdrawal on Wednesday.

Iga Swiatek pulls out of Miami Open and Billie Jean King Cup with rib injury - 'A truly difficult call'

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has been forced to pull out of the upcoming Miami Open and Billie Jean King Cup with injury. Swiatek revealed after her defeat to Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals of Indian Wells that she had been struggling with a rib complaint following an infection.

Carlos Alcaraz, Elena Rybakina ready to shine at Miami Open, will Iga Swiatek, Stefanos Tsitsipas bounce back?

The turnaround between Indian Wells and the Miami Open is quick. So quick, that women’s qualifying for Miami started on Sunday before the men’s final in Indian Wells between Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev had taken place. The women’s main draw in Miami started on Tuesday, with the men following on Wednesday.

'Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic of women's tennis' - Chris Evert on star trio

Eurosport expert Chris Evert has expressed her excitement about the «very interesting» rivalry that is emerging between Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, who she believes could end up being the «Federer, Nadal and Djokovic of women's tennis». Evert spoke about the concern that many felt with the retirement of Serena Williams, but has made it clear that the rising trio of women's tennis could develop a rivalry that is comparable to that of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the men's game.

Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina could be women's tennis 'big three' ahead of Miami Open

As the era of the men’s 'big three' winds down — or metamorphoses into something slightly different — could there be a 'big three' starting to form in women’s tennis? In 2022, there was clearly one player who was head and shoulders above the rest: Iga Swiatek. Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina look to be catching up. Ad Wimbledon champion Rybakina has highlighted her qualities by crushing world No.

Emma Raducanu v Bianca Andreescu at Miami Open will see ‘fireworks’ says Chris Evert as she talks Brit's prospects

Eurosport expert Chris Evert believes there will be “fireworks” between Emma Raducanu and Bianca Andreescu when they meet in the first round of the Miami Open on Wednesday. Both players became Grand Slam champions as teenagers with Andreescu winning the 2019 US Open and Raducanu taking the title at Flushing Meadows two years later. Ad Raducanu had a run to the last 16 last week at Indian Wells, winning three matches in a row for the first time in 18 months, before being beaten by Iga Swiatek.