Rybakina’s Composed Triumph at the Australian Open
Elena Rybakina’s victory at the Australian Open was marked by her cool demeanor and strategic prowess. Standing on the baseline with match point, she relied on her powerful serve to secure the win against the top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka. Reflecting on the moment, Rybakina stated, “Even maybe (my) face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions,” a nod to her composed exterior despite the internal excitement.
Rybakina, known for her reserved celebrations, first gained attention for her similar demeanor during her Wimbledon victory in 2022. Her recent win over Sabalenka, with scores of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, has further solidified her status as a formidable player, despite her understated reactions to triumph.
Her recent achievements include a victory at the WTA Finals, where she also defeated Sabalenka and earned a record $5.2 million in prize money. This victory added another prestigious title to her collection, reinforcing her position as a top contender in women’s tennis.
Rybakina’s path to victory involved overcoming several top-ranked opponents, including No. 1 Sabalenka, No. 2 Iga Świątek, and No. 6 Jessica Pegula. “Of course, they’re tough opponents, and they have great results,” Rybakina noted, emphasizing the significance of her wins against such high-caliber players. Her performance will see her rise to No. 3 in the global rankings next week.
A Season of Challenges and Comebacks
Rybakina’s recent success follows a challenging 2025 season, which was affected by the suspension of her coach, Stefano Vukov, by the WTA. Despite these hurdles, she credits clear communication with her team as pivotal to her preparation and on-court strategies. Her immediate post-victory interactions were with her support team, highlighting their integral role in her achievements.
After her Wimbledon win in 2022 and a loss in the 2023 Australian Open final to Sabalenka, Rybakina experienced fluctuations in form. However, she remained optimistic, stating, “I always believed that I can come back to the level I was.” Her belief and persistence have paid off, with Rybakina now boasting 20 wins out of her last 21 matches, and a perfect 10-0 record against Top 10 players in recent contests.
Her resurgence is attributed to the collective efforts of her team, with Rybakina expressing pride in the work they’ve accomplished. “It’s a win for all the team, all the people who support me,” she said after clinching her latest Grand Slam title.
Looking Ahead
Rybakina’s understated approach was evident during her victory at Wimbledon, where her restrained celebrations were noted. After her Australian Open victory, she participated in a modest celebration, raising a glass at the champion’s news conference.
The following day, she posed with the trophy by the Yarra River before preparing for her next journey, signaling her readiness to continue building on her recent successes in the tennis world.
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