"Iga Swiatek is lucky af" - Tennis fans believe Elena Rybakina's French Open withdrawal will help World No. 1 defend her title

Elena Rybakina's sudden withdrawal from the 2023 French Open owing to an upper respiratory illness has been the subject of much deliberation on social media. Many fans believe the Kazakh's absence will make things easier for defending champion Iga Swiatek.

Rybakina, who won the Italian Open title this year, was in great form at Roland Garros. She defeated both Brenda Fruhvirtova and Linda Noskova without dropping a set.

Swiatek, meanwhile, has lost thrice to Rybakina this year. After going down to the Kazakh in the fourth round of the Australian Open and the semifinals at Indian Wells, Swiatek retired mid-match when facing Rybakina in the Italian Open quarterfinals.

As a result, several tennis fans are of the opinion that Rybakina's absence could turn out to be a boost for Swiatek to defend her title in Paris.

"Such a huge blow for Rybakina, she was playing really well until now and had great form. Would’ve made QF/SF surely, but grass season is way more important for her with so much to gain at Wimbledon. It’s an absolutely great withdrawal if you’re Iga Swiatek or Ons Jabeur tho…," one fan wrote.

"Pity for Elena Rybakina. Pity for #RolandGarros. Withdraws before her R3 match because of illness. Won the title on clay in Rome and looked to be in fine form in Paris. Not having to face Rybakina in top half a potentially big break for Iga Swiatek, who was 0-3 vs her in 2023," journalist Christopher Clarey wrote.

One fan, however, claimed that that Rybakina herself had a tough draw to make it to the semifinals, even though they agreed Iga Swiatek would have possibly wanted to avoid playing her recent nemesis.

Here are some of the other fan reactions:

Iga Swiatek looking to defend French Open title amid mixed 2023 season

Swiatek in action at the 2023 French Open

Iga Swiatek, who had a truly remarkable 2022 season - where she won two Grand Slams and went on a 37-match winning streak - has been pegged back by injuries thus far this season.

The World No. 1 did manage to defend her title in Qatar but went down to Barbora Krejcikova in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Then, after breezing past Bianca Andreescu and Emma Raducanu, she was again downed by Rybakina at Indian Wells.

Swiatek did not take part in the Miami Open - which she had won last year - due to injury.

The Pole was back in business at Stuttgart, where she beat Aryna Sabalenka to successfully defend her title. But Swiatek lost to the Belarusian in the title round of the Mutua Madrid Open the very next fortnight.

A thigh injury then forced Swiatek to retire while facing Rybakina in Rome. The Pole has now reached the fourth round at Roland Garros, serving a double bagel to Wang Xinyu in the third round on Saturday.