Emma Raducanu does not believe that world number one Aryna Sabalenka is the best player on the WTA Tour right now.
Raducanu was one of four Grand Slam champions to lose on day one of Roland Garros, having been beaten in straight sets by Solana Sierra.
Prior to her first round match in Paris, Raducanu was asked a number of quickfire questions about tennis.
One of the questions Raducanu was asked concerned who she thought was the best player on the WTA Tour right now, but she did not pick Sabalenka.
Emma Raducanu claims Elena Rybakina is the best WTA player right now
Raducanu spoke to TNT Sports about the best players in men’s and women’s tennis at the moment.
At the US Open last year, Raducanu played mixed doubles with Carlos Alcaraz, but instead she picked world number one Jannik Sinner.
However, Raducanu did not go with the top ranked player on the WTA Tour, as she instead chose Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina over Sabalenka.
Raducanu has struggled in her previous matches against Rybakina, while her defeats to Sabalenka have been much more close-fought.
Who wins more Grand Slams in their career – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
The 2021 US Open champion also revealed that she thought Roger Federer was both the greatest men’s tennis player of all time and her dream doubles partner, and Serena Williams was her greatest women’s player of all time.
Raducanu also revealed that Wimbledon is her favorite Grand Slam, while Indian Wells and the Washington Open are her favorite tournaments outside of the majors.
How can Elena Rybakina become world number one at Roland Garros?
Although Sabalenka is the current world number one, Raducanu’s pick of Rybakina currently leads the race to the WTA Finals after her title victories at the Australian Open and in Stuttgart.
Rybakina has stated her goal to become world number one this year, and she could even do it at Roland Garros this year.
The current points gap between Sabalenka and Rybakina’s total is 1,647 points, but this gap is not as big as it seems.
Sabalenka reached the Roland Garros final last year, and is therefore defending 1,300 points in Paris, while Rybakina is just defending 240 points.
| Roland Garros 2026 | Aryna Sabalenka’s live ranking points | Elena Rybakina’s live ranking points |
| First Round | 8,670 | 8,083 |
| Second Round | 8,730 | 8,143 |
| Third Round | 8,790 | 8,203 |
| Fourth Round | 8,900 | 8,313 |
| Quarterfinal | 9,090 | 8,503 |
| Semifinal | 9,440 | 8,853 |
| Final | 9,960 | 9,373 |
| Champion | 10,660 | 10,073 |
Rybakina knows that she needs to reach at least the semifinals at Roland Garros for the first time to have the chance to overtake Sabalenka as the world number one.
If Rybakina wins the title at Roland Garros, then she will be confirmed to become world number one for the first time in her career.
