Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been a class above on the ATP Tour since the beginning of the 2024 season.
The world number one and two have been dominant over the past 18 months, as Sinner and Alcaraz have shared the previous seven Grand Slam titles between themselves.
Further establishing their dominance, the pair have contested the previous two major finals, with Alcaraz beating Sinner in the French Open final, before Sinner defeated Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
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They’ve been too good for their ATP Tour rivals recently, but is there anyone doing the same in women’s tennis?
A former Grand Slam semifinalist has now named the two players she believes are the ‘Sinner and Alcaraz’ of the WTA Tour.
Andrea Petkovic claims Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka are the ‘Sinner and Alcaraz’ of the WTA Tour
During the latest episode of ‘Becker Petkovic’, former French Open semifinalist Andrea Petkovic revealed who she believes are the two best players in the women’s game.
“I’ve said it several times, for me, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are the two best players in the world,” she said.
“They’re like [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz. The problem is, they’re not as consistent as Sinner and Alcaraz at the Grand Slams.
“The others, the [Coco] Gauff’s, the [Jessica] Pegula’s, can knock them out every now and then, which happens less with the men. But when everyone is playing their best tennis, Iga and Aryna are clear of the rest of the field.”
Particularly impressed by Swiatek and her run to the title at SW19, Petkovic described the Pole as ‘unstoppable’.
“Especially Iga [Swiatek], when she gets that confidence, she’s unstoppable,” she said.
“I looked again, she’s the only active player who has had these winning streaks.
WinsTournamentPlayers defeated1-52022 Qatar OpenViktorija Golubic, Daria Kasatkina, Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sakarri, Anett Kontaveit6-112022 Indian WellsAnhelina Kalinina, Clara Tauson, Angelique Kerber, Madison Keys, Simona Halep, Maria Sakarri12-172022 Miami OpenViktorija Golubic, Madison Brengle, Coco Gauff, Petra Kvitova, Jessica Pegula, Naomi Osaka18-192022 Billie Jean King CupMihaela Buzarenscu, Andreea Prisacariu20-232022 Stuttgart OpenEva Lys, Emma Raducanu, Liudmila Samsonova, Aryna Sabalenka24-282022 Italian OpenElena-Gabriela Ruse, Victoria Azarenka, Bianca Andreescu, Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur29-352022 French OpenLesia Tsurenko, Alison Riske, Danka Kovinic, Qinwen Zheng, Jessica Pegula, Daria Kasatkina, Coco Gauff36-372022 WimbledonJana Fett, Lesley Pattinama KerkhoveIga Swiatek’s longest WTA Tour winning streak
“When she became world number one, she won 36 [37] matches in a row.
“Last year, she had a period where I think she won 25 matches in a row.
“When she gets that run going, she’s almost unbeatable; she has that point-by-point mentality.”
Watching Swiatek, Petkovic is reminded of her fellow German, who displayed that very same ‘point-by-point mentality’.
Andrea Petkovic says Iga Swiatek reminds her of Steffi Graf
The 37-year-old said Swiatek reminded her of 22-time Grand Slam champion Steffi Graf, and explained why.
“Iga reminds me of her when she plays her best tennis,” said Petkovic.
“Not at all how she plays, they’re two completely different players. But when she plays her best tennis, the mental strength, and the mentality she brings to the court, the intensity in every point, that reminds me of only one other player. That, for me, is Steffi Graf.
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“When you look at her footwork, the way she approaches every point as if it were the last one of her life, it’s only these two players against whom you have to fear losing 0-6, 0-6.
“That’s the thing, when Iga’s on that run, she’s almost unbeatable.”
Petkovic’s co-host, Boris Becker, agreed, as he highlighted what Swiatek and Graf could both do that is very rare in tennis.
“Both of them are perfectionists, and Steffi, like Iga, had moments where she played perfect tennis,” he said.
“That’s the ultimate challenge, it happens only once or twice a year, but Iga and Steffi both have moments where they play perfect tennis.
“It’s usually in a Grand Slam final, as a reminder, Steffi won a Roland Garros final 6-0, 6-0 as well.”
1988 French Open final – Steffi Graf defeated Natasha Zvereva, 6-0, 6-0
Becker proceeded to comment on the changes he’s noticed in Swiatek recently, as she continues to bounce back from a tricky start to her 2025 campaign.
“I saw a more relaxed Swiatek, the interviews were humorous,” he said.
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“She talked about her favorite foods, held long press conferences, and opened up about her life, which may have been weighing on her before.
“I get the impression that she’s enjoying her tennis again.”
Only time will tell if the good times continue for Swiatek, but she’ll certainly be one to look out for as the North American hard-court season commences.
Swiatek is scheduled to return to action at the Canadian Open, which begins on Monday, July 28.