Elena Rybakina may be out of the running at the WTA Finals but this is often when players are at their most dangerous with the freedom to play their best. That was the case as she saw off World No.1, Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
Rybakina ends her season on a good note. it has not been the easiest five months or so for the prodigious former Wimbledon champion who showed to start 2024 that when she is at her best, she is so good.
But with issues with injuries and illness off the court as well as her highly publicised split with Stefano Vukov who was accused by tennis insiders of an abusive relationship with his protege, Rybakina wasn't seen for many months since the US Open.
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After time away though, she has returned and took her spot in Riyadh albeit in a super tough group and one that she tasted defeat in against Jasmine Paolini and Qinwen Zheng with the latter moving through to the semi-finals after an emphatic 6-1, 6-1 win earlier today.
Rybakina ends 2024 above 5,000 points. But she needs a favour from whoever faces Qinwen Zheng in order to stay there with the Chinese ace if she wins usurping her if so. Given the form she is in at the moment, it may be an uphill task.
But despite going out early, Rybakina has shown that there is life yet. She will team up with Goran Ivanisevic in the close season in a highly publicised link-up with the former Novak Djokovic coach and fellow ex Wimbledon champion. So while she has had a tough few months, it is looking up going into a part of the year in early 2025 that she enjoys as evidenced by her form this season that got her a spot in Riyadh.
Sabalenka is through come what may anyway to the latter stages so it matters very little and she will sit in the first quarter having topped the group and could yet face Zheng Qinwen again in the final with Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff likely to join her.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
