Navratilova takes a guess at the winner of Indian Wells.

The legendary Martina Navratilova has made waves in the tennis world by naming Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina as the two “clear favorites” to win the prestigious 2026 Indian Wells Open. All eyes are on these two players, especially following their thrilling clash in the final of the Australian Open, where Rybakina emerged as the champion after an intense three-set battle.

Since her defeat in Melbourne, Sabalenka has been sidelined, having withdrawn from the WTA 1000 tournaments in Doha and Dubai. On the other hand, Rybakina has also faced challenges, pulling out of the WTA 500 in Abu Dhabi before reaching the quarter-finals in Doha and the third round in Dubai, where she ultimately retired during the match.

Currently, Sabalenka leads the WTA rankings as the world number one with 10,675 points, closely followed by number two Iga Swiatek with 7,588 points, and third-placed Rybakina with 7,253 points. The competitive dynamic among these players is more intense than ever, with each of them vying for supremacy.

In a revealing interview with the WTA website, Navratilova did not hesitate to highlight Rybakina’s return as the main news ahead of the Indian Wells. “The biggest is that Rybakina is back,” said the 18-time Grand Slam champion. “She won the Australian Open, played her best tennis when it mattered most, holding her nerves better than Sabalenka in the final.”

The former world number one also commented on the fragility of the body after intense competitions, stating that “it’s normal to get sick after a big tournament.” Navratilova expressed hope that Rybakina is recovered after missing the tournaments in Abu Dhabi, and emphasized the importance of how she feels in the desert of Indian Wells, where the competition promises to be fierce.

When asked who has the best chances of triumphing in the women’s event at Indian Wells, Navratilova was clear: “You still have to bet on Sabalenka because she has the weapons.” Her analysis suggests that if Rybakina is fully healthy, both stand out as the players to watch, with the potential to approach the levels of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, unless Coco Gauff finds her rhythm again and Swiatek regains her form.

For Sabalenka, this competition is also an opportunity for revenge, as she is determined to face Rybakina once again. Rybakina already won the Indian Wells title in 2023, while Sabalenka was the runner-up in both 2023 and 2025. As the tournament approaches, anticipation grows, and fans can hardly wait to see how these tennis stars will shine on the courts.

Indian Wells promises to be an unmissable spectacle, and the battle between Sabalenka and Rybakina will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the tournament. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on this exciting landscape of world tennis.