Tennis is a sport marked by its great rivalries, creating unique storylines that keep spectators coming back for more.
After all, it is these iconic battles which are remembered for lifetimes, whether they happened last week or 50 years ago.
However, throughout history, there have been some truly exceptional personal battles that perhaps go under the radar, overshadowed by other match-ups that should, on paper, be better.
Aryna Sabalenka‘s rivalry with Elena Rybakina is one such example of a clash that can produce electric tennis, but at times falls flat.
Meanwhile, the Belarusian actually arguably has an even better rivalry with another top-five player: Jessica Pegula.
Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka: the best rivalry on the WTA Tour right now
Admittedly, there is not a wealth of great rivalries on the WTA Tour right now, at least not at the top of the sport.
In all honesty, Sabalenka likely occupies the bulk of the best that they have to offer, having enjoyed great battles with Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova and Pegula.
Is Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina the best rivalry in women’s tennis right now?
If not, who is?
However, it’s the American who continually proves to be a thorn in the world number one’s side, despite entering each match with her as the heavy underdog.
Even this week in Berlin, the way in which Pegula managed to dismantle Sabalenka, winning the third set by a stunning 6-0 margin, just proves how dangerous she can be.
Their head-to-head may massively favour the four-time major champion, having won nine of the 13 meetings, but it is rarely an easy win.
All of their last four matches have gone to a deciding third set, with Sabalenka having only won two of those.
Brad Gilbert recently named his favourite current WTA rivalry, which again involves Sabalenka, but neither Rybakina nor Pegula.
What are the best rivalries in women’s tennis history?
Whilst Sabalenka vs Pegula will likely not go down in history as one of the greatest rivalries of all time, it certainly deserves respect for what it has offered over the last few years.
However, it pales in comparison to some of the best we have seen throughout history.
The outstanding option for best women’s rivalries has to be Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, who contested 80 matches between 1973 and 1988, 60 of which were finals. The Czech-American leads the overall head-to-head 43–37, and this remains the most prolific rivalry in Open Era history.
Do you think women should play best-of-five set matches?
Elsewhere, it could not be a ‘greatest-ever’ list without Serena Williams being involved, with her rivalry with sister Venus Williams just as iconic as it was fierce.
The younger of the two unsurprisingly won their head-to-head with 19 wins to Venus’ 12, as they contested an incredible nine Grand Slam finals.
Other elite rivalries worth mentioning are Steffi Graf vs. Monica Seles and Justine Henin vs. Kim Clijsters, although they all pale in comparison to the great Navratilova and Evert.
