Elena Rybakina maybe didn’t enjoy much success at the World Tennis League in the first three days of the event but one of her fans made her day by stopping the Kazakh to gift her a Kinder Surprise Egg.
On Saturday, the Kazakh was in action twice for Team Falcons but unfortunately didn’t have a good day at the office.
First, she lost to Iga Swiatek 6-3 before the Pole and Paula Badosa also handed the 2022 Wimbledon champion and Caroline Garcia a 6-2 defeat in doubles.
But as the 25-year-old was exiting the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, a fan threw a Kinder Egg her way.
Elena Rybakina and fan© X screeenshot
She smiled and expressed gratitude for the kind act.
Elena Rybakina receiving a Kinder Egg from a fan today at World Tennis League.
🥰 🥚🍫
(via izaaira IG) pic.twitter.com/oRVH2V4oBC
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 21, 2024
Rybakina appeared in a total of six matches at the World Tennis League in the first three days
On the opening day of the Abu Dhabi exhibition, the world No. 6 was beaten by Aryna Sabalenka in singles and she also lost her doubles match with Garcia – they fell short to the Belarusian and Mirra Andreeva.
On Friday, the Kazakh bounced back by overcoming Simona Halep and then also being triumphant with the Frenchwoman in their doubles match against the Romanian and Jasmine Paolini.
When it comes to Saturday, it was already mentioned above how that went. In the end, Rybakina went 1-2 in singles and posted the same record in doubles.
However, it should be mentioned that the former world No. 3 was close to pulling off a stunning comeback against Sabalenka.
After losing the opening five games of the match, she managed to save nine match points and even force a tie-break before the Belarusian sealed a 7-6 (3) win.
“I was just telling myself you can’t be that tough on Elena. She’s such a nice person. You cannot do that to her. So okay, let’s be friendly get it to five all and then we will see who is going to get that one,” Sabalenka later joked.
Meanwhile, Rybakina will now fly to Australia for the upcoming United Cup.
Tennis World USA