Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka & Elena Rybakina will be the Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer & Novak Djokovic of women's tennis: Chris Evert

Tennis legend Chris Evert recently stated that Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina have what it takes to be the women's tennis equivalents of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

For the past year, Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Rybakina have been a dominant force in women's tennis, with a combined total of five singles Grand Slam titles. Swiatek leads the pack with three titles, while Rybakina and Sabalenka each hold one title.

Speaking to Eurosport, Chris Evert commented that she is "excited" about the current state of women's tennis because there are three players in the form of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina who have the potential to be the next Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.

"What I'm excited about as we get into talking about the women's game is that there are three players now that could be the Federer, Nadal and Djokovic of women's tennis, and we know who they are: Iga, Aryna and Elena," Evert said.

Evert believes that the rivalry between Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Rybakina will be "very interesting" in the coming years and that these potential "great champions" will be able to fill the void left by Serena Williams' retirement.

"I see a rivalry with those three that could be very interesting. We thought when Serena retired, 'oh, my gosh, women's tennis is in trouble, and where's the next champion going to come from?'" Evert said.

"I think we're looking at where the next champion is going to come from - if not three great champions," she added.

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"I don't think her personality was one that she took advantage of after winning Wimbledon" - Chris Evert on Elena Rybakina

Elena Rybakina pictured with her Indian Wells trophy.

Chris Evert discussed Elena Rybakina in the same interview, saying that the Kazakh did not exploit her personality after winning the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, as other players have done before. At the same time, the American did not see it as a fault, declaring that it was her "prerogative" and no one else's.

"I don't think her personality was one that she took advantage of after winning Wimbledon to the extent that other players have in the past with appearances and magazine covers and endorsements and being on talk shows," Evert said.

"I think she lives a very quiet life and she is very happy that way. She doesn't want to get out of her bubble. That's her prerogative," she added.

Elena Rybakina, the 2023 Indian Wells champion, will next compete in the Miami Open, hoping to win the Sunshine Double. The 23-year-old opens her campaign against Anna Kalinskaya in the second round.