Two of the biggest names in tennis, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, have arrived in Saudi Arabia to prepare for the season-ending WTA Finals. Both players have been out of action since the US Open, but they are now ready to return to competition.
Swiatek, the world’s No. 2-ranked player, has been working with new coach Wim Fissette in the two weeks since she officially tabbed the Belgian to lead her coaching team. She is eager to return to action and regain the top spot in the rankings, which she lost to Aryna Sabalenka on Oct. 21.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has also undergone a high-profile coaching change this year. She parted ways with Stefano Vukov ahead of the US Open and has been shrouded under a cloud of uncertainty about her physical and mental health in the weeks since. However, she looked in good spirits as she traveled to Riyadh with her team.
Both Swiatek and Rybakina have put to rest some of the lingering doubts about their respective statuses with their mere presence in Riyadh. However, it remains to be seen what sort of form they will bring to the match court when the tournament officially begins on Saturday.
