Tennis News: Iga Swiatek slights Coco Gauff and Boris Becker compares Jannik Sinner

The WTA could have a brewing rivalry that is growing organically from two players implying they can beat the other or one player simply leaving out the other's name when asked who are the best players on tour. Organic rivalries are the best kind. That means they could have depth and last a long time. That is good for the sport of tennis.

In this case, a rivalry could be blooming between Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. Maybe neither player feels any maliciousness toward the other...yet. Last week, Gauff was asked about her chances of winning the French Open and some might have interpreted her words as her saying she had a right to win the Grand Slam event since she had spent so much time in the city. Never mind that Swiatek had won three of the last four titles at Roland Garros.

Neither Gauff nor Swiatek won the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany this past weekend - Elena Rybakina did - though both played in the event. They also did not play one another which would have been fun to watch. But after Swiatek's loss to Rybakina in the semifinals, the Pole was asked in a press conference who she thought were the best players in women's tennis currently and one name she left out was notable.

Iga Swiatek disrespects Coco Gauff and Boris Becker sees a lot of Jannik Sinner in himself

Swiatek said, "Aryna (Sabalenka), and (Rybakina) are the best players on tour, honestly. (Rybakina) had struggles with some injury, but every time she's healthy she is playing well."

Not mentioning the WTA No. 3 Gauff was interesting and maybe a mistake, though Gauff will likely not take it that way. Again, any new rivalry between top players is always good for the sport. Maybe the battle between Swiatek and Gauff will develop further.

Speaking of developing, Jannik Sinner certainly has over the last year. He is currently ranked No. 2 on the ATP tour with a fairly decent chance, should he continue to play as well as he has to start the year, to reach No. 1 over the summer. Current No. 1 Novak Djokovic is withdrawing from more tournaments than he has been playing lately, and this gives Sinner a chance to overtake Djokovic in the rankings.

Tennis great Boris Becker was recently asked about Sinner's recent form during a press conference for the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards and Becker's answer was both amusing and insightful. In other words, classic Becker.

The German great said, "Obviously I love Jannik, redheads stick together. When I see Jannik, I see a younger version of myself, I love his poise, I love his mental attitude winning or losing – better than all of them. I think (Carlos) Alcaraz is the more fascinating shot maker, he gets the crowd running but Jannik usually wins the last point with his attitude."

More tennis news and analysis