Serena Williams Reveals the Surprising Flaw Holding Elena Rybakina Back After Shocking US Open Exit!”
Serena Williams Highlights What Elena Rybakina is Lacking After US Open Exit
In the wake of Elena Rybakina’s unexpected early exit from the 2024 US Open, tennis legend Serena Williams has offered her take on what might be holding the Wimbledon 2022 champion back from further Grand Slam success. Rybakina, who has been a formidable force in women’s tennis over the past two years, was widely seen as a strong contender in New York, making her defeat all the more surprising.
Rybakina’s US Open Stumble
Elena Rybakina, the 4th seed at this year’s US Open, faced an unexpected loss in the third round against the unseeded Romanian Sorana Cîrstea. The match was a hard-fought contest, with Cîrstea prevailing in three sets, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-4. Rybakina’s early exit came as a disappointment to many who had tipped her as a favorite to go deep into the tournament.
Serena’s Insight: “It’s More Than Just Power”
Serena Williams, who knows a thing or two about what it takes to win on the biggest stage, weighed in on Rybakina’s recent struggles during a commentary segment. According to Williams, while Rybakina has all the tools to compete with the best — including an intimidating serve and explosive groundstrokes — there are still aspects of her game that need refining.
“She’s got incredible power, no question,” Williams remarked. “But at this level, especially in the Slams, it’s more than just power. You’ve got to be able to adjust and find solutions when things aren’t going your way. That’s what separates the champions from the rest.”
Williams pointed out that Rybakina’s game tends to rely heavily on dictating play from the baseline, and while that works well against many opponents, it leaves her vulnerable when she faces players who can neutralize her power or force her out of her comfort zone. In her match against Cîrstea, Rybakina appeared to struggle with consistency, hitting a high number of unforced errors as she tried to finish points quickly.
Mental Fortitude and Adaptability
Williams also touched on the mental aspect of Rybakina’s game, which she believes is an area the Kazakhstani player could work on. “She’s got the physical tools, but tennis is as much a mental game as it is physical,” said Williams. “You’ve got to stay composed and adapt, especially when the momentum shifts. Rybakina has shown flashes of brilliance, but it’s about sustaining that level across two weeks in a Slam.”
While Rybakina has already shown she has what it takes to win a major, Williams emphasized that the key to continued success lies in developing a Plan B for when her dominant baseline play isn’t working. “There’s no doubt that she has a bright future. But to be consistently at the top, you need to be able to win ugly sometimes, to find ways to survive even when you’re not playing your best.”
Looking Ahead for Rybakina
Elena Rybakina’s rise to prominence has been rapid, and she’s already proven she belongs among the sport’s elite with her Wimbledon victory and consistent performances at the highest level. However, as Serena Williams alluded to, the key for Rybakina will be adding more dimensions to her game, particularly in terms of mental resilience and tactical flexibility.
Rybakina’s journey is far from over, and if she can take on board the lessons from this year’s US Open, there’s every reason to believe she will be a serious contender at future Grand Slams. For now, though, she’ll need to regroup and reassess, knowing that the road to greatness is rarely a smooth one.
As Serena Williams knows all too well, success at the highest level of tennis requires more than just raw power; it demands adaptability, mental toughness, and a relentless drive to improve. Elena Rybakina certainly has the potential — now it’s about unlocking the next level of her game.
