With all three at their pomp last year,
Aryna Sabalenka,
Iga Swiatek and
Elena Rybakina were dubbed the WTA version of the so-called Big Three and it is a tag that has divided opinion. For the Belarusian though, she takes pride from it.
Speaking after defeating Rybakina in an utter epic 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5), Sabalenka will now face top seed Iga Swiatek in the final of the Madrid Open on Saturday. In light of this, she was asked about the rivalry that is developing in women's tennis.
This was praised by Sabalenka and said it is a motivating factor to keep them on their toes and raise their level. She said that she hopes to carry on her form from Madrid and they call them the Big Three again when they return to the top of their game.
“I like that they call us the Big3, I feel that in some way we are motivating each other. Sometimes we give ourselves a very bad time, but at the same time that helps us improve and continue working harder and harder, looking for new things. Now I've just been away for a few tournaments, so we'll see how everything evolves, this has only been one specific tournament. I hope the season continues along this path and we become the Big3 again," said Sabalenka.