"You can just feel that there is something else within them": Andrea Petkovic reveals predicting young Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka to win Grand Slams

Former German tennis player Andrea Petkovic has revealed that she always knew about current world number one Iga Swiatek and number two Aryna Sabalenka’s ability to win major tournaments. Both players are already regarded as two of the best players currently playing men’s tennis in the singles category.

Former world number nine Petkovic was recently quoted in a report. She revealed that she always knew about the potential of both Swiatek and Sabalenka when she played them when they were young. The Tuzia-born star also disclosed that she even told her coach about how those two players were going to win major titles in their respective careers.

"The first year I came on tour, I still played against the likes of Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin, so I was 18 or 19,” she said. “The first year on tour for me was the last tour for those type of players but I still kinda caught the last cusp of Clijsters and Henin as well. So that was really incredible to look back on. And it helps me in my new job as an analyst and an expert because I have to see so many generations and I can see patterns now, when I played Sabalenka when she was 17 I already knew, and same with Iga Swiatek. I already told my coaches that these two will win Slams, win Major titles for sure. You can just feel that there is something else within them."

Swiatek has already won five Grand Slam titles in her career. Four of those victories came the Roland Garros. In 2024, she lifted the French Open after beating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-1. On the other hand, Sabalenka has won three major titles in her career. She most recently lifted the US Open after beating America’s Jessica Pegula in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 7-5.