"She must be under enormous pressure": Schett believes Sabalenka and Rybakina challenging Swiatek could be the making of unchallenged World No.1

Eurosport tennis analyst Barbara Schett believes that the rise of Aryna Sabalanke and Elena Rybakina will ultimately help Iga Swiatek stay number one.

Pressure is something often discussed in sports and generally there is a consensus that it can be beneficial for an athlete, especially if you can handle it. You don't become the best player in the world like Swiatek if you can't handle pressure. You certainly don't win a couple of grand slams if you can't handle pressure.

Swiatek & Pressure

She's had her problems with it in the past but overcame it becoming the best in the world. The rise of Sabalenka and Rybakina adds more pressure onto her but Schett believes that it will be good for her:

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"It's between Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. Swiatek is playing some solid tennis, even though she recently lost against Sabalenka in Madrid, but the conditions there are much faster. The conditions in Paris should favour Swiatek, she feels comfortable there and is proving she is definitely playing at a high level of tennis. How she defends that No. 1 spot as well because she must be under enormous pressure."
I think it’s good for Iga to have these two players [Sabalenka and Rybakina] that can challenge her and make her stay at the No. 1 spot."