Martina Navratilova recently picked Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina ahead of Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek while giving her take on who would win the women’s singles event in Indian Wells. The former World No. 1 stated that the two Australian Open finalists were capable of reaching the same level as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Sabalenka and Rybakina have both been in terrific form for some time now, having competed in the final of both last year’s WTA Finals and this year’s Australian Open. The Belarusian finished as the runner-up in both tournaments but Navratilova still feels that she can go the distance in Indian Wells.

“You still have to go with Sabalenka because she’s got the weapons. Right now, the way everything is going, if Rybakina is fully healthy, they are the top two players, clear frontrunners. They might come close to the level of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz if they keep going this way unless Coco figures things out and Swiatek gets her mojo back.” the former World No. 1 told WTA.

Navratilova also said that Sabalenka would hope to face Rybakina at some point in Indian Wells, eyeing revenge.

“I think she’ll be out for revenge. Knowing her, Sabalenka is hoping she’s going to play Rybakina at some point,” the 69-year-old stated.

Coco Gauff has an 11-5 win-loss record so far in Indian Wells but it’s not as impressive as those of Swiatek, Sabalenka and Rybakina, all three of whom have reached the final of the tournament at least once so far in their respective careers. The American’s best performance at the WTA 1000 event was reaching the semifinals in 2024.

How have Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek fared so far in 2026 compared to Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina?

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek have both played 14 matches so far in the 2026 season, with the Pole winning nine fixtures while the American came out on top in ten. Sabalenka and Rybakina have both won more matches so far this year compared to Gauff and Swiatek, with the World No. 1 having an 11-1 win-loss record while the Australian Open champion has triumphed in 12 out of 15 encounters.

Gauff’s most notable performance so far this season has been reaching the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships where she lost to eventual runner-uup Elina Svitolina after a thrilling encounter. The Ukrainian also handed the 21-year-old her Australian Open exit in the quarterfinals. Gauff helped USA reach the United Cup semifinals but suffered an opening-round exit at the Qatar Open.

Swiatek started the season with three successive wins at the United Cup before losing her singles fixtures in the semifinals and final. The Pole followed this up with a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open, losing to eventual champion Rybakina. She then endured another quarterfinal exit, this time at the Qatar Open, before withdrawing from the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Gauff and Swiatek are both expected to be in action at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells that starts in a few days.