Once a Wimbledon Cinderella, Elena Rybakina is now the commanding favorite to win again

Once a Wimbledon Cinderella, Elena Rybakina is Now the Commanding Favorite to Win Again

When Elena Rybakina stepped onto the grass courts of Wimbledon in 2022, few could have predicted that the then-23-year-old Kazakh would rise from relative obscurity to capture her first Grand Slam title. Rybakina, with her calm demeanor and powerful baseline game, navigated a tournament filled with fierce competitors to become the first player from Kazakhstan to win a Grand Slam. Her triumph had all the markings of a Cinderella story—she was an unseeded underdog who upset world-class opponents on tennis’ most prestigious stage.

Two years later, Rybakina no longer wears the glass slipper. She’s the commanding favorite, having transformed from an unexpected champion into one of the most feared players on the WTA Tour. No longer an outsider, she is now firmly entrenched in the upper echelons of the sport, sitting within the top ranks and consistently contending for major titles.

From Underdog to Favorite

Rybakina’s meteoric rise has been defined by her ability to adapt and grow into her newfound status. While her run to the 2022 Wimbledon title may have been considered a surprise by many, those who watched closely knew that Rybakina possessed the weapons to challenge the best. Her massive serve—among the best in the women’s game—combined with her aggressive forehand and willingness to take the ball early, made her a nightmare on the fast grass courts.

Her success wasn’t fleeting. After Wimbledon, Rybakina backed up her performance with consistent deep runs at Grand Slam tournaments and WTA events. She reached the Australian Open final in 2023 and claimed titles in prestigious tournaments, including Indian Wells. By the end of the 2023 season, her name was often mentioned alongside Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jessica Pegula as part of the new elite class of women’s tennis. 

The Grass Court Queen

As Rybakina’s reputation grew, so did expectations for her to dominate on grass. Her game is perfectly suited for the surface. The grass amplifies her biggest strengths—her serve and flat groundstrokes—while minimizing some of the movement challenges that can affect taller players on slower courts. Her poise and calm under pressure, which had defined her Cinderella run in 2022, now serve her well as a favorite expected to perform.

Heading into the next Wimbledon, Rybakina is no longer playing for validation but for legacy. Unlike the 2022 tournament, where her opponents may have underestimated her, this time, everyone will be gunning for her. Yet, Rybakina seems undeterred by the pressure. In interviews, she remains as stoic and composed as ever, maintaining that her focus is always on her game, not the external noise.

A Rivalry with the Best

What makes Rybakina’s Wimbledon prospects even more intriguing is the rivalry she’s developed with the other top contenders, particularly Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka. While Świątek has dominated the clay courts, and Sabalenka has risen as a hard-hitting powerhouse, Rybakina’s mastery of the grass gives her a unique edge when it comes to Wimbledon. She has victories over both players and is seen as the top threat to their dominance.

Her rivalry with Świątek has become one of the most compelling storylines in the women’s game. The contrast between Świątek’s strategic precision and Rybakina’s raw power makes for thrilling matches. They have split several encounters in 2023, but Rybakina’s ability to beat Świątek on different surfaces, including grass, adds another layer of intrigue to their head-to-head battles.

The Next Chapter

As Rybakina returns to Wimbledon, the transition from a Cinderella story to the commanding favorite represents a new chapter in her career. While she was once the hunter, now she is the hunted. However, with her game firing on all cylinders and her mental fortitude as strong as ever, Rybakina seems more than ready to embrace the pressure of being the favorite.

The tennis world knows now what it missed in 2022: Elena Rybakina isn’t a one-hit wonder. She’s a Grand Slam champion with the game, the composure, and the drive to win again. Wimbledon 2024 is shaping up to be her tournament to lose, and with each passing match, Rybakina continues to write her legacy as one of the sport’s most formidable forces.