Eye of the Coach #75: Why Rybakina’s game is a nightmare for Swiatek

In the latest episode of Eye of the Coach, Patrick Mouratoglou explains why and how Elena Rybakina has the edge against Iga Swiatek

May 16, 2023

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Iga Swiatek beat Elena Rybakina in their first meeting in 2021 in Ostrava (7-6, 6-2). But since that two-set victory, the current world number one has not won a set in three matches against the Kazakh.

The Wimbledon 2022 winner dominated the Pole in an exhibition match in Dubai at the end of last year (6-3, 6-1) before confirming her performance on the WTA Tour this season. Elena Rybakina won easily at the Australian Open (6-4, 6-4) and then at Indian Wells (6-2, 6-2), confirming her superiority.

In the latest episode of the Eye of the Coach, Patrick Mouratoglou explains why Elena Rybakina’s game poses huge problems for Iga Swiatek, and makes a comparison with the clashes between Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on the men’s circuit.

KEY MOMENTS OF THE EYE OF THE COACH ON SWIATEK AND RYBAKINA

18″: Patrick Mouratoglou explains that if Iga Swiatek has lost three times in a row to Elena Rybakina, there is a tactical reason and a mental reason.
38″: The French coach draws a parallel with the men’s circuit and the clashes between Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. One’s style of tennis posed more problems for another, and it is the same between Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
50″ : In order to be comfortable, the Polish player needs to dictate the rallies and dominate the court, but against the Kazakh, she can’t do it.
1’10 : Elena Rybakina puts too much pressure on her on the return of serve and is very aggressive in the rallies: the perfect tactic to cause problems for the world No 1.