Iga Swiatek spills the beans on her dream opponent amongst Jelena Ostapenko and Elena Rybakina

World No. 5 Iga Swiatek, ruthlessly dominant en route to the French Open fourth round, dropped her guard in a revealing press conference moment – accidentally exposing her true preference between potential foes Jelena Ostapenko and Elena Rybakina.

Iga Swiatek's poker face fails

Cruising through her first three matches without dropping a set, Swiatek faced a different kind of challenge off-court. Asked about her preferred fourth-round opponent as Rybakina led Ostapenko on court, Swiatek initially played diplomat:

“Elena [Rybakina] is winning, so yeah, we’ll see... Both matches are going to be a challenge.”

Pressed directly if she had a preference, her one-word “No” triggered immediate laughter. Iga Swiatek’s composure cracked, confessing to the room:

“Am I a good liar?... Let’s see, it doesn’t matter really. Oh my god, I couldn’t play poker!”

The candid admission spoke volumes, hinting at a matchup she desperately wanted to avoid.

The Ostapenko Puzzle: Swiatek's undefeated nemesis

Swiatek’s reaction wasn’t without cause. Beneath the laughter lay a stark, winless record against 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko: six career meetings, six defeats. Ostapenko’s explosive, high-risk power consistently disrupts Swiatek’s rhythmic baseline mastery, creating a mental and tactical hurdle the Pole has never cleared. Facing Ostapenko at Roland Garros, where Swiatek seeks a historic fourth title, would have been her ultimate test.

Rybakina Relief: A rivalry reset

Elena Rybakina spared Iga Swiatek the Ostapenko ordeal, dismantling the Latvian 6-2, 6-2. This sets up a far more palatable clash for the top seed. Swiatek’s record against Rybakina stands at a dead-even 4-4. Their matches feature contrasting styles: Swiatek’s relentless consistency versus Rybakina’s thunderous serve and flat groundstrokes. While challenging, this matchup lacks the psychological baggage of Jelena Ostapenko. Rybakina’s straight-sets win gifted Swiatek the path she subtly desired.

Sunday Showdown: History vs. opportunity

Swiatek now faces Rybakina on Sunday, June 1st, with a quarterfinal berth at stake. The pressure shifts: Can Swiatek capitalize on avoiding her bogey player? Or will Elena Rybakina leverage their balanced history to spring an upset? Iga Swiatek’s relieved reaction reveals more than humor—it underscores the immense weight of chasing legacy at Roland Garros. One truth remains: avoiding Ostapenko was the unspoken victory Swiatek needed before stepping back on Court Philippe-Chatrier.