After a forgettable start, Rybakina does not want to end the year: "Every victory has given me more confidence"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 5 Nov 2025 | 18.46

After a forgettable start, Rybakina doesn't want to end the year: "Every win has given me more confidence." Photo: Gettyimages

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Elena Rybakina is synonymous with constant ups and downs. In terms of her game, the Kazakh player should always be among the top five tennis players in the world, but when her physical condition and, above all, her mental state do not support her, her worst version can be seen. Fortunately, her best tennis has emerged in the WTA Finals, and she has all the chances to win the title.

Even though 2025 started off in a very turbulent way for Elena Rybakina. The organization of the Australian Open denied accreditation to the Kazakh player's coach, Stefano Vukov, allegedly for mistreating the player, something she always denied. The situation escalated, and the WTA punished the coach for an entire season, prohibiting him from entering any tournaments. In fact, Rybakina's season had been more than irregular. However, this ban was lifted in August, and Vukov returned as the main coach of the 2022 Wimbledon champion.

Coincidentally, since then, the Kazakh player began to show her best form. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati, but after losing in the US Open's round of 16, her chances of entering the WTA Finals seemed slim as she was behind Jasmine Paolini and Mirra Andreeva, who occupied the last two spots.

Elena Rybakina has found her best tennis of the season in the WTA Finals

During the Asian tour, she took advantage of Mirra Andreeva's inconsistency, gradually gaining points until she achieved a 'surpass' at the WTA Ningbo, where Rybakina emerged as the champion, securing her place in the WTA Finals: "When I arrived in Asia, I knew there were still many players who could qualify. I tried my best. I played against tough opponents, those I had lost to before, and I am very happy that the past weeks have gone well for me," stated the 26-year-old player to the WTA.

But upon her arrival in Riyadh, she has shown herself as the best player in the tournament to date. She is the only one who has won all three matches, defeating Iga Swiatek 6-0, having only dropped one set. This secured her mathematical qualification to the semifinals as the leader of her group.

"Of course, I want to win every match I play. Each victory has given me more confidence. I am very happy that, so far, my recent matches have gone very well. Hopefully, I can continue like this," said Rybakina after defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-4, who stepped in last minute for Madison Keys.

Her serve, her best weapon

Moreover, when the Kazakh player is on point with her serve, she is very difficult to beat. And in these WTA Finals, her serve is sharper than ever: "I am very pleased with my serve. Undoubtedly, the serve is a great advantage for me, and when it works, I have the chance to beat anyone. So, I hope to continue this way, as it is my main weapon in the game."

Looking back, the tennis player reflects on a tough year for various reasons but breathes a sigh of relief seeing how a year that seemed destined to be forgotten is now ending as one of her best: "There have been many ups and downs throughout the year, but I always tried to improve, even towards the end of the season. I am confident that if I do well this week, I will finish the year very happy," concludes Elena Rybakina, who, with nine consecutive victories, threatens to clinch the title at the WTA Finals.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Después de un inicio para olvidar, Rybakina no quiere terminar el año: "Cada victoria me ha dado más confianza"

WTA