Iga Swiatek receiving competition from Aryna Sabalenka & Elena Rybakina will make her stay World No. 1, says Barbara Schett

Former tennis pro Barbara Schett believes facing tough competition from Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will help Iga Swiatek. Schett's comments came prior to the start of the 2023 French Open.

Swiatek is the defending Roland-Garros champion, having won the title in Paris last year by defeating Coco Gauff. It will be a difficult journey for her this time around, though.

Rybakina and Sabalenka have defeated the World No. 1 numerous times this season. The duo have repeatedly demonstrated that they can be a tough roadblock in Swiatek's path to the title.

Barbara Schett believes that this year's main fight for the Roland Garros title will be between Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Aryna Sabalenka. She said during a media day prior to the tournament's start (as quoted by Eurosport):

"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 Austrian continued by saying that Swiatek should benefit from the favorable playing environment in Paris because her game is very at home there. She added that clashing against Sabalenka and Rybakina is also good for the Pole because it allows her to fight and maintain her World No. 1 ranking.

"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," Schett said.

"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."

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"Iga Swiatek is extremely solid and has handled this pressure of being World No. 1 so well" - Barbara Schett

Iga Swiatek pictured at the Internazionali BNL D'Italia 2023 - Day Ten.

Barbara Schett went on to say that Iga Swiatek has handled the pressure of being the World No. 1 player very well and is mentally strong. Schett added that Swiatek an all-round player heading into the French Open.

"Swiatek is extremely solid and has handled this pressure of being world No. 1 so well, she always bounces back and seems so strong mentally," Schett said.

"She is going strong in Rome and is an all-rounder, she can play on every surface. Grass maybe a little bit better but on clay, I think the conditions suit her really well."

Schett went on to laud the 21-year-old's consistency and called her a complete player who aspires to be at the top for a long time.

"Swiatek had a phenomenal year last year and no one has really challenged her until now. She is the most complete and consistent player and has worked a lot on the mental part, which is almost 80% of what you need. She seems motivated and wants to be up there for a long time," she said.