Wilander believes Swiatek's injury record could be an issue with Sabalenka and Rybakina ready to pounce: "We don't know where she's at physically"

Saturday, 27 May 2023 at 16:30

Mats Wilander thinks that Iga Swiatek's injury history might become an issue at Roland Garros with Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka waiting for their chance.

Swiatek is the defending champion in Paris and with the conditions playing a bit slower this year, she's the most likely to win the trophy once again. There are players who could challenge her but it would take quite a special effort from any of them to dethrone the Polish number one in Paris.

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Injury Concerns

While not particularly an injury-prone player, legend and eurosport analyst Mas Wilander does worry about the physical part of tennis when it comes to Swiatek:

“With Iga the one thing you have to be slightly worried about is the physical part of tennis. She's been injured a few times now, and I think that's the worry. Mentally there isn’t any problem at all. She won in Stuttgart. She knows how to win, and beat some great players there. Of course, she lost again to Rybakina in Rome, but again we don't know where she’s at physically."

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Still the Favourite

Even with the injury concerns, like many, Wilander does consider Swiatek as the number one favourite when it comes to winning the event. He explained his thoughts:

“But I still think she’s the big favourite. She's the best clay player in the world. I don't think the conditions are going to make a big difference. If the courts are fast, she's great. If the courts are slower, she has a little more time. If she's healthy and she's 100 per cent, it's the same situation.”

For Wilander, Swiatek is clearly among the greates already with her impressive 30+ win streak last year as well as three grand slams to her name. That tally will certainly grow over the next few years.