Less than a month before Roland Garros, Elena Rybakina has become a red-hot contender for the title.
You would be brave to go against the current world No.1 and three-time champion Iga Swiatek, but Rybakina is clearly knocking on the door.
The world No.4 opened her 2024 clay-court season last week with a WTA 500 title in Stuttgart, eliminating the reigning champion Swiatek in the semifinals.
It was her tour-leading third title of the season and builds on her impressive list of accolades on clay, with her third career title on the surface.
The question now: Can she replicate this strong form in Paris, and potentially outperform Swiatek, who is looking for her third title in a row?
Jelena Dokic, a Roland Garros quarterfinalist in 2002, believes Rybakina is undoubtedly one of the favourites for this year’s title.
“She’s had some health issues, but when she hasn’t, she’s come through and pretty much won everything,” Dokic said on The AO Show podcast this week.
“She is one of the favourites for Roland Garros. I would still have Swiatek first, but she’s right after that.”
Dokic also noted how the 2022 Wimbledon champion’s powerful ball striking can trouble Swiatek.
“She has a 4-2 head-to-head lead against Swiatek as well, and that says something,” the former world No.4 said.
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“I think we know that Swiatek struggles playing players that have big games, that hit flatter, that hit deep, and can actually overpower her.
“That (Rybakina) backhand, she can easily go cross-court, go through the middle, go down the line, that’s what Swiatek doesn’t like, into that forehand fast and hard.”
Despite the matchup suiting Rybakina, Dokic still gives a slight edge to the proven performer and world No.1.
“Roland Garros is different,” she said. “Yes, it’s a sign Rybakina can beat Swiatek, but can she do it at Roland Garros?”
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Rybakina has failed to reach the fourth round in Paris since 2021, when she burst onto the scene with her defeat of Serena Williams to reach the quarterfinals.
However, with her form as the current leader for tour-level wins in 2024, Dokic has noticed a positive change in Rybakina's confidence on all surfaces.
“She really believes it, which is what you need,” Dokic said. “She’s really settling into her role going ‘look I am one of the best players in the world’.”
Rybakina will look to maintain her strong start to the clay-court season this week at the WTA 1000 event in Madrid.