Iga Swiatek says what she and Aryna Sabalenka bring to the WTA Tour which has been missing for ages

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Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek lit up the WTA in 2024, with the duo now aiming to do the same in 2025.

American women could clinch Grand Slam success in the coming major tournaments, with Madison Keys having won the Australian Open.

But Europeans Sabalenka and Swiatek are certain to bounce back sooner rather than later, with both having lost to Keys in Melbourne.

Sabalenka and Swiatek felt powerless against Keys, who beat the former in the final after beating the latter in the semi-final.

All three will soon focus on the French Open, where WTA number two Swiatek is the three-time defending champion.

Iga Swiatek says tennis fans love her WTA rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka

She led the rankings for the majority of 2024, but it was her rival Sabalenka who was the year-end number one.

Speaking on Tennis For Everyone with Pavel Kisly, the Pole has shared her thoughts on the Belarusian, with Swiatek saying: “For sure it’s nice to have such a great athlete as an opponent, both pushing each other and creating some great entertainment sometimes when we are playing against each other.

READ MORE: What Madison Keys said back in her hotel room after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in 2024 before winning the Australian Open

“I think we are something that WTA has been missing for a while, because we have this great rivalry and the fans are kind of excited every time they see us.

“It’s great that we play tennis so well and we can just push each other. That is really helpful in any career to have an opponent like that.”

Iga Swiatek praises Aryna Sabalenka’s ‘professional’ team

After the Big Three faded away with the retirements of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, a superb rivalry has formed between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on the ATP Tour.

And Sabalenka and Swiatek have forged a similar relationship on the WTA Tour, winning three of the four Grand Slams in 2024.

READ MORE: Andy Roddick thinks he knows the ‘issue’ Iga Swiatek has after her surprise Australian Open exit

Barbora Krejcikova disrupted the status quo at Wimbledon last summer, with Keys having done the same in Australia last month.

But Sabalenka came agonisingly close to a third successive Australian Open title, while Swiatek will undoubtedly be in contention at the next Grand Slam in Paris given her ability on clay.

Continuing her praise of her fellow WTA star, Swiatek said: “Aryna’s team is one of the most professional I have seen on tour.

“They are taking care of everything. Similar to me I think, because of the people we have around, we can both progress and become great athletes.

“Without them it would be much tougher because we need professional people and people with knowledge to guide us sometimes and show us what is right and wrong.

“I think Aryna’s team is doing that well and supporting her in any situation. I think any player needs that so I’m happy we both have it.”