Elena Rybakina's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Elena Rybakina. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Elena Rybakina, a Kazakhstani professional tennis player born in Russia, achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 3, making her the first Kazakhstani to enter the top 10. As the current Kazakhstani No. 1, she made history by becoming the first player from Kazakhstan to win a major at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. Rybakina's accomplishments include nine WTA Tour-level singles titles, featuring two prestigious WTA 1000 victories at the 2023 Indian Wells Open and the 2023 Italian Open, solidifying her position as a leading figure in women's tennis.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1991: Comparison to Monica Seles

In 1991, Monica Seles reached the final in the same season at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami Open plus Rome, along with Elena Rybakina in 2023.

2011: Petra Kvitová Wins Wimbledon

In 2011, Petra Kvitová won Wimbledon, becoming the youngest woman champion at 21 years old, a record that stood until Elena Rybakina's victory in 2022.

2012: Comparison to Maria Sharapova

In 2012, Maria Sharapova reached the final in the same season at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami Open plus Rome, along with Elena Rybakina in 2023.

2015: Garbiñe Muguruza Wimbledon finalist

In 2015, Garbiñe Muguruza was a Wimbledon finalist, a record that was broken in 2022 when Elena Rybakina became the youngest Wimbledon finalist.

2017: First Grade-A Title at Trofeo Bonfiglio

In 2017, Elena Rybakina won her first and only Grade-A title at the Trofeo Bonfiglio, defeating Iga Świątek in the final. This victory marked a significant achievement in her junior career.

February 2018: First WTA Tour Match Win and Top 10 Upset

In February 2018, Elena Rybakina won her first WTA Tour match at the St. Petersburg Trophy against Timea Bacsinszky. She then upset world No. 7, Caroline Garcia, in three sets, which significantly improved her world ranking.

2019: First WTA Tour Title at Bucharest Open

In 2019, Elena Rybakina achieved consistent success on the WTA Tour, which included winning her first tour title at the Bucharest Open. She also made her debut in the top 100 rankings.

2020: Five Finals on WTA Tour

In 2020, Elena Rybakina had a breakthrough season, leading the WTA Tour with five finals appearances. This period of success significantly elevated her profile in the world of tennis.

2020: WTA Tour Finals Leader

In 2020, Elena Rybakina led the WTA Tour in finals appearances. Before the COVID-19 pandemic halted the tour, she reached the final of every tournament she entered except for the Australian Open and the Qatar Ladies Open. These achievements helped her climb to No. 17 in the world, making her the first Kazakhstani player to reach the top 20.

November 2021: Top 15 Debut

On 1 November 2021, Elena Rybakina debuted in the top 15, reaching world No. 14, thereby becoming the highest-ranked Kazakhstani player in history.

January 2022: Adelaide International Final and Career-High Ranking

In January 2022, Elena Rybakina reached the final at the Adelaide International 1, where she was defeated by Ash Barty. On January 17, she achieved a career-high ranking of No. 12.

2022: Wimbledon Championship Victory

In 2022, Elena Rybakina achieved a career highlight by winning the Wimbledon Championships. This victory marked a significant milestone in her professional tennis journey.

2022: Rybakina wins 2022 Wimbledon Championships

In 2022, Elena Rybakina claimed her first major title by winning the Wimbledon Championships, becoming the first player from Kazakhstan to achieve this feat.

2022: Wimbledon Victory and Nationality Discourse

In 2022, Elena Rybakina won the Wimbledon Championships, becoming the youngest woman champion since 2011. Her Russian nationality led to public discourse due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes at Wimbledon following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

January 2023: Australian Open Final and Top 10 Ranking

In January 2023, Elena Rybakina reached the Australian Open final, marking the second Grand Slam final of her career. On January 30, she entered the top 10 rankings, becoming the first player representing Kazakhstan to achieve this milestone.

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 8th after the Miami Open. She then reached the quarterfinals at the Italian Open, securing a new career-high ranking of world No. 5 after wins over Jasmine Paolini, Anna Kalinskaya, and Markéta Vondroušová. She also defeated world No. 1, Iga Świątek, to reach her first Rome semifinal and won her first WTA 1000 clay title, moving to a career-high ranking of world No. 4 on May 22nd after Anhelina Kalinina retired.

June 2023: Rybakina Reaches No. 3 in World Rankings Despite French Open Walkover and Withdrawal from Eastbourne International

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

2023: Australian Open Final and WTA 1000 Titles

In 2023, Elena Rybakina reached the Australian Open final, won two WTA 1000 titles, and achieved a world No. 3 ranking. This period of success highlighted her continued growth and competitiveness on the WTA Tour.

2023: Indian Wells Title and Career-High Ranking

In 2023, Elena Rybakina won her first WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final. This victory propelled her to a new career-high singles ranking of world No. 7.

2023: WTA 1000 Victories and No. 3 Ranking

In 2023, Elena Rybakina won two WTA 1000 events at the Indian Wells Open and the Italian Open. She was also ranked world No. 3 in women's singles by the WTA, making her the first Kazakhstani to be ranked in the world's top 10.

2024: Brisbane International Victory and Australian Open Exit

In 2024, Elena Rybakina started her season by winning the Brisbane International final against Aryna Sabalenka. However, she exited in the second round at the Australian Open after losing to Anna Blinkova in a match featuring the longest tie-break in Grand Slam history.

2025: Madrid and Italian Open Performances and Internationaux de Strasbourg Victory

In 2025, Elena Rybakina defeated Bianca Andreescu at the Madrid Open but lost to Elina Svitolina. At the Italian Open, she defeated Eva Lys but lost to Andreescu. Rybakina defeated Liudmila Samsonova at the Internationaux de Strasbourg to capture her first title in over a year. Seeded 12th, Rybakina then reached the fourth round of the French Open, before losing to Iga Świątek in three sets.