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Elena Rybakina captured her second Grand Slam title on Saturday with a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final, cementing her place among tennis’ elite with her trademark understated demeanor.
“Even maybe my face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions,” Rybakina said of the championship-winning ace that sealed her triumph. The 26-year-old maintained her characteristic calm throughout the trophy ceremony, continuing the reserved approach she displayed during her 2022 Wimbledon victory.
The fifth-seeded Rybakina’s path to the title in Melbourne included an impressive gauntlet of victories over the sport’s biggest names. She defeated world No. 1 Sabalenka, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek, and sixth-ranked Jessica Pegula in the tournament’s final stages.
“They’re tough opponents with great results, and for so long they are at the top and it’s stable,” Rybakina said. “I had a lot of tough matches here — I’m glad that the opportunities I was getting during the match, I managed to take.”
The victory caps a remarkable resurgence for Rybakina, whose 2023 season was marred by inconsistency and disruption, including a months-long suspension of her coach Stefano Vukov by the WTA. The Kazakhstan representative has now won 20 of her last 21 matches, including 10 straight against top-10 opponents.
Rybakina’s recent dominance extends beyond the Australian Open. In November, she captured the WTA Finals title, defeating Sabalenka to claim a record $5.2 million prize. With her Melbourne triumph, she will rise to No. 3 in the world rankings next week.
Tennis analysts point to several factors behind Rybakina’s resurgence, including improved communication with her coaching team. During matches, Vukov provides a steady stream of technical and tactical advice that Rybakina processes and executes in real-time.
After clinching the title, Rybakina’s first interaction was with her support team, embracing Vukov and three other team members before the trophy presentation. This prioritization of her team reflects the collaborative approach that has fueled her recent success.
“I always believed that I can come back to the level I was,” Rybakina said, addressing doubts that emerged after her form fluctuated following her 2022 Wimbledon win and 2023 Australian Open final appearance. “Of course, we all have ups and downs. I thought maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it’s all about the work.”
She credited her team’s positive influence during difficult periods. “When I was maybe not that positive, they would be helping out on the side,” she said.
The mental aspect of Rybakina’s game has evolved alongside her powerful serve and aggressive baseline style. “When you get some wins, big wins against top players, then you start to believe more, you get more confident,” she explained.
Born in Moscow but representing Kazakhstan since 2018, Rybakina emphasized the importance of peaking at the right time. “I’m just very proud of the work we did with the team, and actually that I found my kind of best form here at the Grand Slam,” she said. “It’s a win for all the team, all the people who support me.”
Rybakina’s victory reinforces a shifting landscape in women’s tennis, where her powerful serving and baseline game present a formidable challenge to established champions like Sabalenka and Świątek. Her ability to defeat both players in consecutive matches demonstrates her capability of dominating the sport’s biggest stages.
On Sunday morning, Rybakina posed with the trophy on the banks of Melbourne’s Yarra River, dressed in a stylish red dress—a rare moment of public celebration before turning her focus to the rest of the 2024 season. With two Grand Slam titles now secured, tennis fans can expect more championship moments from this quietly confident champion, even if the celebrations remain characteristically understated.
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9 Comments
Rybakina’s calm precision and ability to defeat top-ranked players is truly impressive. Her understated approach is a refreshing contrast to the showmanship of some other tennis stars.
Rybakina’s path to the title was no easy feat, taking down several of the sport’s top players. Her ability to rise to the occasion against such formidable opponents is truly admirable.
The mining and energy sectors are always closely watched, and events like the Australian Open can sometimes have unexpected impacts. I’m curious to see how Rybakina’s victory may influence commodity prices or investor sentiment in related industries.
It’s fascinating to see how the mining and energy sectors are impacted by global events and trends. I’m curious to learn more about how the Australian Open victory could influence commodity markets and related equities.
Rybakina’s ability to defeat top-ranked players like Sabalenka and Świątek is a true testament to her skill and determination. Her understated approach is a refreshing contrast to the more flamboyant personalities in tennis.
Winning the Australian Open after a disruptive 2023 season is a remarkable achievement. Rybakina’s mental toughness and composure under pressure are clear assets that have propelled her to the top of the sport.
The mining and energy sectors are always closely watched, especially with ongoing geopolitical tensions and the transition to renewable energy. I wonder how this tennis victory could impact commodity prices or investment in related industries.
It will be interesting to see how Rybakina’s Australian Open victory impacts the mining and energy sectors. Even indirect factors like media attention and public sentiment can sometimes ripple through to commodity markets and related equities.
Rybakina’s calm and understated demeanor is a refreshing contrast to the more flashy personalities in professional tennis. Her ability to maintain composure under pressure is a testament to her mental toughness.