“I don’t feel pressure,” Elena Rybakina once said, yet expectations seem to follow her like a shadow. The Kazakh star, who reached a career-high ranking in 2023 and made history with her 2022 Wimbledon triumph, has faced a rocky road since. Her promising start to 2024 at the Brisbane International faded into a season plagued by illness and injury. From defeating Ons Jabeur to claim her maiden Grand Slam title to battling bronchitis and back injuries, Rybakina’s journey has been one of resilience. How does she endure?
Her 2025 season hasn’t started well, either. After defeating former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the WTA Finals in December 2024, fans hoped for a turnaround following her Brisbane struggles. While she showed promise in the Middle East swing—reaching semifinals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai—her Sunshine Double campaign ended in first-round exits. The question remains: can she reclaim her former glory from three years ago?
Speaking to the Tennis Insider Club on March 30, Rybakina reflected on dealing with expectations after her Wimbledon win. “Well, I think the most difficult is that you expect a lot from yourself. It’s not really expectations of other people. Then when something doesn’t go your way, you’re getting upset. This is where it’s important who you surround yourself with. You need some kind of support. Someone who can push you. The team who believes in you. Family, friends… we lose more than we win in the end of the day,” she explained.
Rybakina has taken steps to build that support system. Last year, she parted ways with coach Stefano Vukov and brought Novak Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanisevic onto her team. Fans saw progress at the WTA Finals, but she surprised many by reuniting with Vukov for the 2025 season despite his aggressive methods that reportedly caused “psychological problems” for her.
“It’s something you need to work at every day,” she added about coping with challenges. “You never know when the result comes. You might feel great and amazing on the court, but then one day you wake up and get sick.” Despite setbacks, she praised her physios for their “magic” in treating a back spasm during the Australian Open, where she reached Round 4 before losing to champion Madison Keys. She also brought Italian coach Davide Sanguinetti onboard during the Abu Dhabi Open, reaching semifinals there and at Dubai—her best results this season.
Rybakina remains optimistic despite recent struggles, saying, “What can you do? Nothing. You just need to keep on going again. That’s how I see it.” Her mindset hasn’t wavered since her teenage years when she chose tennis over other sports.
Elena looks back at her younger self who chose tennis over everything
Elena Rybakina’s journey to tennis stardom began with a twist of fate. As a child, she excelled in gymnastics and ice skating alongside her sister, but her height dashed any hopes of going professional. At six, her father introduced her to tennis, sparking a passion that would change her life. Years later, faced with the financial challenges of turning pro, her family debated whether she should pursue college instead. Offers poured in from American universities, but the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation stepped in with financial support, leading Rybakina to represent Kazakhstan in 2018—a decision that shaped her career.
In October 2023, Rybakina reflected on these pivotal moments during the Mind Set Win podcast. She shared how her family’s intense discussions influenced her path. “I realized that those sports are better for me than maybe my character or whatever it is at that age of 17-18. I had to choose if I wanted to be professional or just go to college,” she said.
However, her parents’ worries about injuries and the unpredictability of a sports career weighed heavily, but honesty and her love for tennis guided the choice. “We made this decision based on my results, my passion for the sport, and at the end of the day, I’m really happy with that decision.” Why wouldn’t she be? She clinched a Grand Slam at the age of 23 and broke into the top 3 of the rankings.
Now ranked No. 8 on the WTA Tour, Rybakina continues to inspire with her mental strength and determination. Will her mindset lead her to a victory soon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post “We Lose More Than We Win,” Elena Rybakina Finally Breaks Her Silence on the Stress After 2022 Wimbledon Triumph appeared first on EssentiallySports.