WTA clay power rankings: Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka to dominate? Will Coco Gauff, Ons Jabeur challenge?

The 2023 clay season is here. With the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami Open done and dusted, it’s time to move onto the next stage of the calendar, which features two WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome, before the French Open. Ad Last year the WTA clay season was dominated by world No.

1 Iga Swiatek, who dropped just two sets as she won titles in Stuttgart, Rome and Paris. TennisCarballes Baena stuns Evans in Grand Prix Hassan II semi-finalYESTERDAY AT 18:43 Will Swiatek rule again on the dirt? Or will the challenging pack continue to close as they have done over the last few months? We power rank the top five women heading into the clay season. 1.

Iga Swiatek Swiatek enters the clay season with questions over her fitness, having pulled out of the Miami Open with a rib injury, and slight chinks seemingly showing in her armour, having lost four times this season. She is set to return next week in Stuttgart, where she will be defending champion, having opted not to play for Poland in the Billie Jean King Cup. If Swiatek is healthy she will clearly be the one to beat again.

Elena Rybakina might have had some joy against Swiatek this year with her power-hitting game but on clay it should be a different story. Swiatek’s movement on the surface is so good, her top-spin shots and kick serve are at their most effective, and she has the belief that she can beat anyone. She has won two of the last three French Opens and should start as heavy favourite again in Paris.

2. Aryna Sabalenka Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has made big strides on clay over the last couple of years. From a 15-13 record on clay before 2021, Sabalenka is now a champion in Madrid – beating Ashleigh Barty in the 2021 final – and a two-time