Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Elena Rybakina

Discover the career path of Elena Rybakina, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Elena Rybakina is a Kazakhstani professional tennis player, currently ranked world No. 3. Originally from Russia, she is the first Kazakhstani player to win a major tournament and break into the top 10 rankings. Rybakina's achievements include 12 WTA Tour-level singles titles, highlighted by her victories at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships and the 2026 Australian Open. She has also won the 2025 WTA Finals and two WTA 1000 events, solidifying her position as a leading figure in women's tennis.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 2013: Began Playing on ITF Junior Circuit

In November 2013, at the age of 14, Rybakina began competing on the ITF Junior Circuit, marking the start of her junior tennis career.

December 2014: Started playing on ITF Women's Circuit

In December 2014, at the age of fifteen, Rybakina began competing on the ITF Women's Circuit, initiating her professional career.

2015: Final at Belgian International Junior Championships

In 2015, Rybakina reached the final at the Belgian International Junior Championships, losing to Katharina Hobgarski, though demonstrating progress in Grade-1 events.

2016: US Open Junior Major Debut and Trofeo Bonfiglio Doubles Final

In 2016, Rybakina debuted at the US Open junior major, reaching the third round. She also finished runner-up in doubles at the Trofeo Bonfiglio with Amina Anshba.

October 2017: WTA Tour Debut at Kremlin Cup

In October 2017, Rybakina made her WTA Tour debut at the Kremlin Cup, reaching the main draw through qualifying but losing in the opening round to Irina-Camelia Begu.

2017: Won Grade-A Title at Trofeo Bonfiglio and Grand Slam Semifinals

The 2017 season saw Rybakina win her first and only Grade-A title at the Trofeo Bonfiglio, defeating Iga Świątek. She also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open.

February 2018: First WTA Tour Match Win and Upset Victory

In February 2018, at the St. Petersburg Trophy, Rybakina won her first WTA Tour match against Timea Bacsinszky and then upset world No. 7 Caroline Garcia, helping her rise significantly in the world rankings.

2018: Switched Federation to Kazakhstan

In 2018, Rybakina switched federations from Russia to Kazakhstan, marking a significant change in her career.

2018: First Grand Slam Qualifying Draw at US Open

In 2018, playing for Kazakhstan, Rybakina entered her first Grand Slam qualifying draw at the US Open but did not reach the main draw.

February 2019: Switch to Stefano Vukov as Coach

In February 2019, Elena Rybakina switched coaches to Stefano Vukov, a Croatian former tennis player, who became her first traveling coach, leading to rapid improvements in her ranking.

2019: Maiden WTA Tour Title at Bucharest Open and Top 100 Debut

In 2019, Rybakina won her maiden WTA Tour title at the Bucharest Open and subsequently made her top 100 debut in the WTA rankings at No. 65.

2020: WTA Tour Finals Leader and Top 20 Ranking

In 2020, Rybakina led the WTA Tour in finals appearances and reached No. 17 in the world, becoming the first Kazakhstani player to enter the top 20.

2020: Most Tour Finals

In 2020, Rybakina played in five tour finals, the most of any player that year, signaling a breakthrough in her professional career.

November 2021: Top 15 Debut

On November 1, 2021, Elena Rybakina made her debut in the top 15, at world No. 14, becoming the highest ranked Kazakhstani player in history.

2021: French Open Quarterfinals in Singles and Doubles

In 2021, Rybakina reached the quarterfinals of the French Open in both singles (defeating Serena Williams in the fourth round) and doubles, marking a successful run at the tournament.

January 2022: Adelaide International Final and Career-High Ranking

In January 2022, Rybakina reached the final of the Adelaide International 1 and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 12.

2022: Wimbledon Championships Title

In 2022, Elena Rybakina won her first major title at the Wimbledon Championships.

2022: Wimbledon Title

In 2022, Rybakina won her first major title at Wimbledon.

2022: Defeated Danielle Collins

In 2023, at the Australian Open, Rybakina defeated 2022 finalist Danielle Collins in the third round.

2022: Major win in 2022

Unlike her first major win in 2022, Rybakina received 2,000 points as a result of her 2025 Australian Open championship victory

January 2023: Australian Open Final and Top 10 Ranking

In January 2023, Rybakina reached the Australian Open final and achieved a top 10 ranking, making her the first player representing Kazakhstan to reach the top 10 in either the ATP or WTA rankings.

March 2023: Donation to Kazakh Tennis Players

In March 2023, Elena Rybakina donated ₸35 million to rising female tennis players in Kazakhstan.

May 2023: Career-High Ranking and Italian Open Quarterfinals

In May 2023, Elena Rybakina reached a new career-high of world No. 6 on May 8, 2023. She then reached the quarterfinals at the Italian Open and moved to a new career-high ranking of world No. 5. On May 22, 2023, she moved to a career-high ranking of world No. 4 after winning her first WTA 1000 clay title.

June 2023: French Open Ranking Achievement

In June 2023, despite a walkover due to respiratory illness in the third round of the French Open, Elena Rybakina reached No. 3 in the world rankings on June 12, 2023. On June 26, 2023, she withdrew from the Eastbourne International due to a viral illness.

2023: 2023 Australian Open final rematch setup

Elena Rybakina set up a rematch of the 2023 Australian Open final against Aryna Sabalenka.

2023: Indian Wells WTA 1000 Title

In 2023, Rybakina won her first WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final and reaching a new career-high ranking of world No. 7.

2023: Markéta Vondroušová Wimbledon Champion

In 2025, at the US Open, Elena Rybakina lost to 2023 Wimbledon Champion Markéta Vondroušová in the fourth round.

January 2024: Ranking Rebound

In January 2024, Rybakina returned to the world No. 3 position after winning the Australian Open.

April 2024: First Final Since April 2024

At the Internationaux de Strasbourg 2025, Elena Rybakina reached her first final since April 2024, marking a significant milestone in her career.

November 2024: Hiring Goran Ivanišević

In November 2024, Elena Rybakina announced Goran Ivanišević as her new coach after splitting from Stefano Vukov following that year's US Open.

2024: Wimbledon Semifinals 2024

Elena Rybakina lost to Clara Tauson in the third round of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, she had reached the semifinals in 2024.

2024: Brisbane International Win and Australian Open Exit

In 2024, Elena Rybakina started her season by winning the Brisbane International final against Aryna Sabalenka. She then exited in the second round at the Australian Open to Anna Blinkova after a very long tie-break.

April 2025: Ranking Drop After Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers

On April 21, 2025, Elena Rybakina dropped to No. 11 in the rankings after opting to play in the qualifiers for the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup instead of defending points from her win in Stuttgart the previous year.

2025: WTA Finals Title

At the end of 2025, Rybakina won the WTA Finals.

2025: Split with Goran Ivanišević

In 2025, Elena Rybakina ended her coaching relationship with Goran Ivanišević after her exit from the Australian Open that year.

2025: Grass Season Quarterfinal Finishes

In 2025, Elena Rybakina reached the quarterfinals of the Berlin Open, losing to Aryna Sabalenka despite having match points. She also lost to Clara Tauson in the third round of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.

2025: Semifinal Runs and US Open Fourth Round

In 2025, Elena Rybakina reached the semifinals at the DC Open and the National Bank Open in Montreal. At the Cincinnati Open, she defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka before losing to Iga Świątek in the semifinals. She reached the fourth round of the 2025 US Open for the first time.

2025: Ningbo Open Title and WTA Finals Qualification

In 2025, Elena Rybakina won the Ningbo Open, earning her second title of the year. She then qualified for the 2025 WTA Finals before withdrawing from the Tokyo tournament.

2025: Internationaux de Strasbourg Title

In 2025, Rybakina reached the fourth round of the French Open, before losing to Iga Świątek. Elena Rybakina captured her first title in over a year at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, defeating Liudmila Samsonova in the final.

2026: Indian Wells Open Rematch

In 2026, Rybakina is set up for a rematch of the 2023 Indian Wells Open final and 2026 Australian Open final with Aryna Sabalenka at the Indian Wells Open.