Becker draws comparisons between Sabalenka and Federer and Nadal with Swiatek as Djokovic

Boris Becker can see Aryna Sabalenka being for Iga Swiatek what Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were for Novak Djokovic pushing him to new heights.

Rivalry is something that's very underrated in the tennis world because good rivalries push you forward. If we never saw the big three in the way we did, there is a good chance neither of those players would have reached the heights that they did. They might have won more simply because they were that much better than the competition but they pushed each other to be better and better.

It's something that could do wonders for Iga Swiatek who is being pushed heavily this year by Sabalenka and Rybakina. Both players have beaten her this year though she still came out on top at Roland Garros. Becker drew comparisons between her situation and that of Djokovic in a recent interview:

Read also

"His 14 titles at Roland Garros weigh more than Djokovic's 23 Grand Slams": Ilie Nastase believes Nadal's Roland Garros wins outweighs Djokovic breaking record

"She is only 22 years old, and she still has her whole athletic life ahead of her. So I see no reason why she can't win ten or 15 Grand Slam titles if she stays motivated. That's always the big question, especially when you have success at such a young age. Do you still feel like repeating yourself in five years or do you have to keep reinventing yourself? But from the way she plays, her attitude, her fitness, I don't see any reason why she shouldn't reach double-digit Grand Slam wins. "

Rivalry

On the rivalry part, Becker said:

"The question is the rivalry; the women need it as much as the men. For [Novak] Djokovic, [Rafael] Nadal and [Roger] Federer were important, and for Swiatek, it will be important that [Aryna] Sabalenka continues to improve, that Muchova continues to play well, Ons Jabeur, I also want to mention here, Coco Gauff, I would also like to see in the final again. For me, these are the best women, and when there is healthy competition, then the players really enjoy it. They are all competitors, they want to measure themselves against each other, and that is also a good sign for Swiatek."

Read also

Is Djokovic most complete player ever? Only man in tennis history to have 85% or better win percentage at every Grand Slam