Elena Rybakina didn’t hide that she was thrilled to beat new world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals and also warned the competition that she will aim for Grand Slams and the top ranking in 2025.
On Wednesday, the Kazakh tennis star won the rematch of the 2023 Australian Open final after overcoming the Belarusian 6-4 3-6 6-1 in Riyadh.
Early in the match, Rybakina was 1-3 down but recovered with two breaks on her own to bag the first set. In the second set, the two players were tied to three games apiece before Sabalenka won the following three games to take the match to the distance. However, the 2022 Wimbledon champion stepped up again in the third set and won five games in a row from 1-1 to complete her win.
Unfortunately for Rybakina, the win itself didn’t bring her much since she had been 0-2 going into the match and had already lost all her chances of qualifying for the semifinal.
“It was a tough match. I’m really happy I managed to win. It’s nice to finish the year with at least one win against the world #1. She has all the chances to win also. Good luck to her. I’m just happy. Thank you so much guys for the support… Every match I played here was a bit better. It’s not easy after such a long break. Today I served really well. From both sides we made mistakes, sometimes it was lucky for me. Overall I think it was a good one for me. I’m really enjoying the atmosphere. Thanks again for all the support,” the 25-year-old said in her on-court interview.
Elena Rybakina after beating Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals in Riyadh
“It was a tough match. I’m really happy I managed to win. It’s nice to finish the year with at least one win against the world #1. She has all the chances to win also. Good luck to her. I’m just happy.… pic.twitter.com/aaXatAE3HH
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 6, 2024
Rybakina highlights her big goals for 2025
The Kazakh was in great form at the start of the year but then she started to deal with frequent injuries, illnesses and allergies. All of that led to the former world No. 5 not playing that much in the second part of 2024 – at the WTA Finals, she made her first appearance since the US Open.
In the upcoming period, Rybakina will be aiming to stay fully healthy – get some good work with new coach Goran Ivanisevic – and enter the 2025 season in the best shape and form possible. And then she hopes to do some great things.
“My goals are to win Slams, definitely, and the main goal is to become No. 1 one day. So, hopefully next year,” the one-time Grand Slam winner and two-time finalist said.
Elena Rybakina© YouTube screenshot
Ivanisevic absolutely agrees that Rybakina’s goals are achievable
It was at the start of the WTA Finals that the 25-year-old announced that Novak Djokovic’s former coach was the newest member of her team. And the Croatian – who enjoyed massive success with the Serbian tennis star – loves the Kazakh’s game and he has the biggest possible expectation for their partnership.
“I don’t know her too well personally, but my friend Zule is her fitness coach – we worked together with Tomas Berdych – and the word around the Tour generally is that she is a great person. Game-wise, she has got a big serve, tall, strong hitter who plays aggressively, she won Wimbledon just like me. I feel I can teach her something. I mean, she is already No 5 in the world, but I think she can win more Slams, that’s for sure,” Ivanisevic told Tennis Majors.
This week in Riyadh, former top-5 player Daniela Hantuchova is a part of Sky Sports’ broadcasting team. And on Thursday, she backed the Kazakh and her new coach for success.
“Well, super excited because I’m guessing Goran will be in Bratislava anytime soon because she lives in Bratislava and now like 10 minutes away from me. So I’m hoping I’m gonna get some extra hit. I have no idea where they’re gonna do the preseason, but I think it’s great news. We all know Goran is a great, great coach, obviously a lot of experience and Rybakina is a very aggressive player. She needs to use her serve well. Something has not really worked well for her this tournament, so I think it can only be a great addition,” Hantuchova said.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Wimbledon winner noted in Riyadh that she and Ivanisevic would not start their collaboration until the preseason.
If Rybakina can stay healthy throughout 2025, there are no reasons not to think that she will be a major contender for the biggest titles.