Elena Rybakina claimed her first Australian Open title with a stunning comeback victory over world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The Kazakh fifth seed trailed 3-0 in the decisive third set but rallied to win five straight games, securing a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win. This triumph avenges her defeat to the two-time champion in the 2023 final.
Rybakina’s Dominant Path to Victory
The 2022 Wimbledon champion showcased her resilience on the Melbourne court, turning the match in her favor after Sabalenka appeared poised for a fifth major singles title. Rybakina’s performance left spectators in awe, marking another chapter in her career of remarkable on-court displays.
A Memorable Mid-Match Moment with Her Coach
Earlier, during the Cincinnati Open in August 2023, Rybakina drew attention for a bold interaction with her coach, Stefano Vukov. Trailing a set against Jelena Ostapenko in their Round of 32 clash, she firmly told Vukov, “If I need something I’ll ask.” Despite the tension, Rybakina went on to defeat the Latvian in three sets, demonstrating her commanding form.
Vukov has guided Rybakina since 2019, contributing to her breakthrough Grand Slam win at Wimbledon the year prior. Social media users celebrated the exchange, with one observer noting, “Elena is lowkey SASSY,” and another adding, “She was like no no no, let me cook a bit.” The moment highlighted her confident demeanor under pressure.
Standing Up for Players’ Rights
Rybakina has consistently advocated for better conditions in women’s tennis. That same week in 2023, she criticized the WTA’s scheduling during the Canadian Open in Montreal. Heavy rain delayed her quarterfinal and semifinal matches, forcing her to play until 3 a.m. against Daria Kasatkina, whom she defeated. Exhausted, she admitted struggling to sleep until 5 a.m. before losing to Liudmila Samsonova the next day.
Expressing frustration after the loss, Rybakina stated, “I feel destroyed just because of the scheduling and the whole situation. I’m not really happy about it, but yeah, it is what it is. Unfortunately, players cannot do much in these situations. The decision is not really ours. The weather was not helpful.”
She further described the WTA leadership as “weak” and “unprofessional,” saying, “It’s the first time and hopefully the last time because I think it’s been a little bit unprofessional from the—I cannot say really the tournament because I think that the most important is the WTA here. Leadership is a little bit weak for now, but hopefully something is going to change because this year it was many situations which I cannot really understand.”
Her comments underscored ongoing concerns about player welfare amid challenging tournament logistics.
