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4 Jul 2026 | 17.33
Elena Rybakina bid farewell to Wimbledon 2026 much earlier than expected after falling to Mertens. The Kazakh player arrived as one of the top contenders for the title and with a magnificent opportunity in the battle for the number 1 spot in the WTA ranking. However, she once again fell short of expectations, fueling discussions about her struggle to maintain consistency. During the press conference, she expressed her dismay.
The defeat left a particularly bitter taste due to the circumstances surrounding it. During the first quarter of the season, Elena Rybakina once again reminded everyone why many believe she possesses one of the highest ceilings in the women's circuit, stringing weeks of nearly unstoppable tennis, clinching the title in Australia, and displaying excellent performance in Indian Wells and Miami.
However, the clay court season once again halted her progress, depriving her of continuity and the confidence she had when entering the most critical phase of the year. On grass, a surface where she has historically excelled and seemed to possess all the qualities to capture another Grand Slam title, she never managed to find her rhythm. The outcome represents another setback for a player whose most inspired form seems capable of defeating anyone but is still in pursuit of the necessary consistency to dominate the circuit week after week.
Wimbledon misses a great chance to approach the number 1 ranking
The draw seemed to open up for Rybakina. She was defending very few points compared to other contenders, arrived at the surface where her tennis shines the most, and had an excellent opportunity to narrow the gap with Sabalenka. However, the opportunity slipped away too early.
The Kazakh herself immediately acknowledged her disappointment. "It wasn't the result I wanted. Obviously, I'm not happy at all," she summed up with the usual composure that characterizes all her appearances. When analyzing the match, she quickly identified the main reasons for her defeat. "I had several chances to break serve in the first set. Then I lost my service too easily, made many double faults, and had a very low first serve percentage. Today, the serve just didn't work."
The explanation is particularly significant for a player whose tennis revolves precisely around that weapon. When Rybakina dominates with her serve, she usually controls matches from the first stroke. Against Mertens, the opposite happened. "I also didn't feel the energy was right. There are many things I'm not satisfied with," she added.
Rybakina and the issue of consistency
Perhaps the most interesting reflection of the entire press conference came when she was asked about the stark contrast between the spectacular start of the season and the difficulties she has been experiencing in recent weeks. The response was as honest as it was revealing. "If I knew exactly why this is happening, I wouldn't be in this situation right now."
The Kazakh stated that her daily work hasn't changed. "I've been training well during these weeks. Also, since I was losing early in some tournaments, I've had even more time to work."
This raises one of the long-standing uncertainties surrounding Rybakina. Her peak level is high enough to win Grand Slams and dominate virtually any tournament on the calendar. However, these performance peaks continue to alternate with phases where she loses confidence, competitive rhythm, and the ability to impose her game.
She herself admits she needs to find answers. "I definitely have to analyze what's going on and change something, because right now it's not working." The feeling is familiar. Her best weeks convey the impression that no one can compete with her. The problem arises when that state of inspiration fades, and it takes her too long to regain it.
Elena Rybakina continues to seek stability on the big stages
The defeat to Mertens also highlighted an aspect that proved decisive throughout the match: the inability to react when the game started slipping away. After losing a closely contested first set, Rybakina admitted that the match completely changed.
"When you win the first set, you play with much more freedom. I wasn't able to raise my level, and moreover, I kept making double faults." The tie-break conclusion was especially painful. "The tie-break was tough, and I practically gifted that first set. After that, it becomes much more difficult to get back into the match."
There was no physical issue justifying her slump. "I don't have any physical discomfort," she bluntly responded when asked about that possibility. Everything points, therefore, to a matter more related to competitive performance and confidence rather than any physical limitations.
The American swing, an opportunity for Rybakina's resurgence
Far from dramatizing the defeat, Rybakina made it clear that she doesn't intend to dwell on what happened for too long. "I try to move on. I've lost many times, and I'm sure I'll lose many more. It's impossible to win always." Although she admits the elimination hurts, she doesn't expect the frustration to linger.
"I'm upset, of course, but I don't think I'll need more than a day or two to put it behind me." The Kazakh is already looking ahead to the next segment of the season. "Now we'll finally be on the same surface for quite some time, and the last big effort of the year is still ahead." However, she needs to disconnect completely first. "The first thing will be to change the scenery a bit and rest. For a couple of days, I don't want to think about tennis at all. Then we'll start preparing for what's next."
Will we see Rybakina near the number 1 again soon?
Every loss by Elena Rybakina rekindles almost the same discussion. Very few players on the circuit possess such clean, aggressive, and effective tennis when confidence is found. Her serve, the ease with which she accelerates from both sides of the court, and the composure she usually competes with explain why she continues to be among the top favorites in nearly all major tournaments.
However, top-level tennis demands more than brilliant weeks. It requires sustaining that performance for months, overcoming inevitable setbacks, and turning excellence into a routine. This is where Elena Rybakina continues to seek answers. Wimbledon probably represented the best opportunity of the year to approach the number 1 spot and prove once again that she could lead the women's circuit. Instead, the defeat to Mertens leaves a feeling that has become all too familiar: when her best version is on display, she seems unstoppable; but when it fades, finding her way back remains a challenge.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rybakina, sin respuestas tras perder en Wimbledon: "Si supiera qué me ocurre, no estaría en esta situación"
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