Rediscovering Momentum: From Setbacks to Statement Wins
Elena Rybakina is finding her fire again. With 44 wins from 61 matches this season, the 26‑year‑old Kazakh has stormed back into the elite conversation following a turbulent 2024. Her gutsy Strasbourg title run—capped by a 6‑1, 6‑7, 6‑1 win over Liudmila Samsonova—signaled not just form, but fierce intent. “Getting to the WTA Finals? Yes, that’s my goal,” she declared to Vesti.kz a leading sports news portal in Kazakhstan. “There’s a chance to gain a foothold, and maybe even move up.”
Rankings Pressure Mounts in Final Stretch
Rybakina currently clings to eighth place in the WTA Race with 3,751 points—barely ahead of Jasmine Paolini and Ekaterina Alexandrova. With only Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek already qualified, the battle for the final spots is wide open. For Rybakina, every remaining tournament—and her national team’s tie against the United States—becomes a proving ground. “I’ll try to play as well as I can, including as part of the Kazakhstan team,” she said. “That’s also a serious test.”
Wimbledon Flashbacks and Fuel from the Critics
The noise from last season—both about her results and coaching dynamics—spilled over online. But Rybakina has found strength in the adversity. “One hundred percent, when you lose there are negative comments on social networks,” she said. “But when you see positivity, it immediately gives you energy.”
She hasn’t forgotten the weight of expectation that came with her 2022 Wimbledon title either.
“The most difficult match? Probably the Wimbledon final. I remember how many emotions there were… even going out on the court I was nervous.”
Now, with the pressure back on against the USA in the Davis Cup Finals and qualification hanging in the balance, Rybakina is once again embracing the moment—ready to test herself against the world’s best.