Rybakina: "I am a little tired, but ready for the final push"

Carlos Navarro | 23 Oct 2025 | 10.40

Will Rybakina secure her ticket to the WTA Finals? Source: Getty

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Elena Rybakina has experienced a season full of ups and downs. The Kazakh started the year dealing with the suspension of her coach, Stefano Vukov, amidst rumors of a romantic relationship arising from that partnership. This was followed by the farewell of Goran Ivanisevic, the man tasked with navigating a ship that never set sail, and a truly inconsistent stretch of the season until reaching her favorite part of the year, a final hard-court swing where she finally shows glimpses of her full potential.

Her debut in the WTA Tokyo 2025 was no different, where she dominated Leylah Fernandez, a player who had caused her trouble in the past and who had just won the title in Osaka. In this match, Elena Rybakina had extra motivation, a possible reward that could deplete her physical reserves this week: a ticket to the WTA Finals 2025 in Riyadh, the chance to face the top eight of the year and, why not, put the finishing touch on this inconsistent season.

It wasn't easy for Rybakina to make the mental shift: she had just won a new title, her second of the season, in Ningbo. With little rest, completely different conditions, and facing a rival who had recently defeated her in Washington, it was a tough first encounter. Particularly challenging when an objective as clear as reaching the Finals is on the horizon. She said, "Today was a very tough match. It's always difficult against Leylah, even more so as my first match here. Also, the conditions have changed: when I arrived, the weather was rainy, so I could hardly train outdoors. I'm very happy with the win and eager for the next match."

Her next challenge will be against Victoria Mboko, with whom she also has a shared history (the Canadian won an intense semifinal in Canada where Elena had numerous chances to win). This match will be her final hurdle towards qualifying for the season-ending tournament. She commented, "I'm feeling a bit tired, I can't deny it, but I'm ready for the final push, to give it my all. I'm very happy with how last week went, trying to replicate that level here, and I want to thank everyone for their support." Rybakina sounded fully focused and ready for tomorrow's match, which will define her season's end.

Rybakina has had a season of ups and downs that could find the perfect remedy in the WTA Finals

Taking a look at the Kazakh's performance this season might surprise many. The concept of inconsistency, previously mentioned, stems from her lack of standout showings in major events. However, she has steadily accumulated points throughout the year, reaching several semifinals (making it seven times to this stage), claiming two titles (albeit in smaller tournaments, Estrasburgo and Ningbo), and securing victories in almost every event she has entered.

Nevertheless, her lackluster performances in the Slams penalize her significantly: she could potentially rank among the top eight players of the year without reaching the quarterfinals in a single Grand Slam, a fact that may seem at odds with the nature of her game, capable of shifting into high gear unexpectedly without the need for prior wins. It has been an unconventional year: without major headlines for her tennis achievements, yet a looming threat in every big tournament that never quite materialized... and still, solid enough to amass the required points to stay in the elite. Perhaps the WTA Finals 2025 will be the boost Elena needs to aim higher in 2026... and tomorrow we will find out if she secures her ticket or not.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rybakina: "Estoy un poco cansada, pero lista para el último empujón"