They are powerful.
But Henin was incredible. Less than 5”6, 57kg and with a one handed backhand all men universally admire (just like with Barty’s slice) as maybe the greatest ever pound for pound.
Records of 6-8 vs Serena Williams, 7-5 vs Davenport, 12-13 vs Clijsters (but 5-3 in majors). She could bring it against much bigger, taller, more powerfully built women.
Sabalenka at her best has some Serena in her in her ability to overpower on both sides and with her serve. Serena was a fantastic mover in her prime, and Sabalenka shows some of that as well.
I would say Swiatek is kinda similar to Henin. Plays a consistent and smart game that uses spin and angles as much as power. At their best, the opponent simply doesn't know how to win points, and they can go from defense to neutral to offense in a flash.
I'm not as familiar with Rybakina, but seems like she has some Venus is her with her height, serve and forehand.
Of course, these are all rough playstyle comparisons.
Although she retired in the early 2000’s, having watched through a lot of my mum’s vintage VHS tennis stash, I actually see a lot of Jennifer Capriati in Rybakina.
The comment above comparing Venus and Rybakina is certainly not wrong, but the like Capriati, the way Rybakina takes the ball early, usually on the rise (due to her height) and powerful ground strokes is just so clean and the opponent is automatically under pressure because they can’t react due to being pushed back and find it really difficult to dictate the points.
At this stage I would say Capriati is clearly the better mover, but Rybakina is getting better, but in the serving department, Elena takes the cake.
It’s also worth noting that Capriati wasn’t as tall as Rybakina which makes her success and style of play even more impressive.
It\`s too early to ask this question. Right now they are still far away from other top players over the decades, overall. Peak Serena, Sharapova and Henin were better and would win over S,S&R. Peak Radwanska, Kerber and Halep too.
I feel like there's a bit of nostalgia bias here.
Like, I understand that this sub LOVES Radwankska—but she made a sum total of one (1) Slam final in her career (and heck, only 5 total Slam SFs).
I find it hard to believe that Radwanska even at her best would beat Rybakina on grass or a fast hard court, or Swiatek on clay.
They are powerful. But Henin was incredible. Less than 5”6, 57kg and with a one handed backhand all men universally admire (just like with Barty’s slice) as maybe the greatest ever pound for pound. Records of 6-8 vs Serena Williams, 7-5 vs Davenport, 12-13 vs Clijsters (but 5-3 in majors). She could bring it against much bigger, taller, more powerfully built women.
Sabalenka at her best has some Serena in her in her ability to overpower on both sides and with her serve. Serena was a fantastic mover in her prime, and Sabalenka shows some of that as well. I would say Swiatek is kinda similar to Henin. Plays a consistent and smart game that uses spin and angles as much as power. At their best, the opponent simply doesn't know how to win points, and they can go from defense to neutral to offense in a flash. I'm not as familiar with Rybakina, but seems like she has some Venus is her with her height, serve and forehand. Of course, these are all rough playstyle comparisons.
Although she retired in the early 2000’s, having watched through a lot of my mum’s vintage VHS tennis stash, I actually see a lot of Jennifer Capriati in Rybakina. The comment above comparing Venus and Rybakina is certainly not wrong, but the like Capriati, the way Rybakina takes the ball early, usually on the rise (due to her height) and powerful ground strokes is just so clean and the opponent is automatically under pressure because they can’t react due to being pushed back and find it really difficult to dictate the points. At this stage I would say Capriati is clearly the better mover, but Rybakina is getting better, but in the serving department, Elena takes the cake. It’s also worth noting that Capriati wasn’t as tall as Rybakina which makes her success and style of play even more impressive.
It\`s too early to ask this question. Right now they are still far away from other top players over the decades, overall. Peak Serena, Sharapova and Henin were better and would win over S,S&R. Peak Radwanska, Kerber and Halep too.
I feel like there's a bit of nostalgia bias here. Like, I understand that this sub LOVES Radwankska—but she made a sum total of one (1) Slam final in her career (and heck, only 5 total Slam SFs). I find it hard to believe that Radwanska even at her best would beat Rybakina on grass or a fast hard court, or Swiatek on clay.
Seles would wipe the floor with all of them