The world No. 1 and Shiffrin have struck up a virtual friendship in the last three years with both athletes praising each other through interviews and messages on social media.
“Well, any of the Big 3 guys [Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer] and Serena [Williams], I think,” Swiatek replied. “Yeah, she just dominated the sport.
“But on the other hand, the Big 3 had each other to kind of compete against each other. She’s dominating. She’s better than anyone.”
Swiatek say she looks up to Shiffrin for how she is able to handle pressure on and off the slopes. Swiatek and Shiffrin could meet in person soon with both athletes nominated for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.
Swiatek added: “I don’t know a lot about the technique but even I can see with my eyes that she has this huge talent.
“She’s [doing] everything to optimise her potential and to just ski well mentally, physically, and technically. So I really respect that. She deserves this. And she’s a nice person.
“We haven’t met still, but the Instagram messages tell me she’s a nice person. Huge congrats to her.”
‘The greatest World Cup skier we have ever seen!’ – Watch Shiffrin’s record-breaking run in Are
Swiatek also met with Olympic figure skating gold medallist Nathan Chen and ice dance Jean-Luc Baker on Saturday as the pair attended Indian Wells.
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