Iga Swiatek 'feeling a lot more pressure' this year at French Open, says John McEnroe, discusses 'Big Three' rivalry

Iga Swiatek «looked irritable» in her French Open first-round win, says John McEnroe, who also discussed the Pole's growing 'Big Three' rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. Swiatek eventually saw off Spain's Cristina Bucsa in straight sets, but only after coming through a difficult first set in which she faced a break point at 4-4. Ad The world No.

1 then breezed through the second set with yet another bagel of 2023 to earn her place in the second round and a meeting with American Claire Liu. Roland-Garros'One of the best movers I've ever seen' – Eurosport experts react to Swiatek's opening win2 HOURS AGO Speaking on Eurosport, McEnroe — in Paris for the tournament — said: «She [Swiatek] seemed a little off in the beginning, but I don’t think she was stressing a whole lot. She looked slightly irritable.

»She’s been feeling a lot more pressure this year because everyone expects her to win every tournament and suddenly, Rybakina and Sabalenka have both stepped up and they’re the two who are most likely to win this if it’s not Iga, because they’re the ones who can take the racquet out of her hand. «Otherwise, I’d pick Iga to win this on the clay. In these dry, slippery conditions, they might help a big hitter like Rybakina or Sabalenka.

They go for big shots and that might cause Swiatek problems, as she’s the best movers that I’ve ever seen, up with Serena [Williams] and Kim Clijsters, the all-time great movers. »If conditions get heavier, I’d pick her to win it." Tim Henman, reacting to the Pole's win in conversation with McEnroe and Barbara Schett, stated his belief that Swiatek, the defending champion, is his favourite for the title. The former British No.