Elena Rybakina and Jannik Sinner are tennis’ No. 1 twins — and their Instagram profiles prove it
Tennis NewsMonday, 14 September 2026 at 06:30
Elena Rybakina and Jannik Sinner have reached the top of tennis from different directions, but the two current world No. 1s appear to share a surprisingly similar habit away from the court. Their Instagram profiles feature remarkably similar photographs celebrating their Grand Slam victories, with both repeatedly choosing images of themselves kissing the trophy after some of the biggest wins of their careers.
The unusual similarity was highlighted by journalist Bastien Fachan, who pointed out the resemblance between the Instagram profiles of the Kazakh and the Italian. The comparison has become particularly interesting now that Rybakina has joined Sinner at the top of the rankings, with both players also sharing one of the quieter personalities among the elite names in modern tennis.
Rybakina became the new WTA world No. 1 after winning the 2026 US Open on Saturday, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final. The Kazakh now has three Grand Slam titles to her name, with the US Open joining her 2026 Australian Open triumph and her 2022 Wimbledon victory. On Instagram, each of those titles is represented by a photograph in which she is seen kissing the trophy.
Sinner has an even larger collection of major titles, having won four Grand Slam tournaments across the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open. His Instagram profile contains a strikingly similar selection of images, with the Italian kissing the trophy after his Australian Open and Wimbledon victories. His 2024 US Open photograph is the notable exception, showing him lifting the trophy above his head with both arms while looking towards the crowd.
Our introverted World #1’s. Congratulations Elena Rybakina!
— jannik sinner files (@jannik_files) September 10, 2026
🦊🐠 pic.twitter.com/28KPQQlWKv
Two No. 1s, one surprisingly similar Instagram style
The resemblance becomes particularly clear when the photographs are viewed together. Neither player has chosen particularly elaborate or theatrical images to commemorate their Grand Slam triumphs. Instead, the focus is largely on the player, the trophy and the achievement itself, with the trophy kiss becoming a recurring part of both collections.
It is a small detail, but one that fits the personalities both players have developed at the top of the sport. Rybakina and Sinner are generally among the more reserved figures in elite tennis, rarely looking for the spotlight away from their results and usually maintaining a calm demeanour even during some of the biggest moments of their careers.
That does not mean either player lacks emotion. Rybakina's reaction to winning the US Open and reaching No. 1 showed the importance of the achievement, while Sinner has also produced emotional celebrations after major victories. But their public image remains notably more understated than that of several of their biggest rivals.
On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have developed much more expressive relationships with the crowd and their biggest victories, while Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are similarly more demonstrative on the women's tour. Sinner and Rybakina, by comparison, have often allowed their tennis to do most of the talking.
A fitting coincidence at the top of tennis
Their playing styles are different, too, but both have built their careers around exceptional ball-striking and the ability to remain composed under pressure. That combination has now taken both players to the summit of their respective tours, with Sinner established as the men's No. 1 and Rybakina taking over the women's top ranking after her US Open triumph.
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Their Instagram profiles were obviously not created to tell the same story, and there is no suggestion that either player deliberately copied the other's approach. The resemblance is simply an unusual coincidence between two champions who have followed very different paths to the top.
Yet it is difficult to miss. Two Grand Slam champions, two world No. 1s and two of the more reserved personalities in modern tennis have repeatedly chosen remarkably similar ways to preserve some of the biggest moments of their careers — standing alongside their trophies, with the same understated celebration appearing again and again.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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- "This of course a stark change to Rybakina who is obviously more timid..." That just may be the dumbest thing ever written about Lena. For a CCO, Mr. Gill seems to have either made an error in judgement -- or needed filler for this article -- to say something so ridiculous.
mandoist13-09-2026 - “The way I like to put it – no disrespect to anybody – is that this is her house, and all the other girls are just guests, and it’s time for them to go home” Well now... seems John Stacy has made a complete ass of himself. Doubt he'll be receiving any invitations to Lena's "house" any time soon.mandoist13-09-2026
- I am sorry, but Sabalenka has NO EXCUSE for her despicable behaviour. She lacks self and mouth control! The message is being sent but Saba isn't getting it! She is full of arrogance and pride. Hopefully, after this defeat she will be on the way to becoming a humble lady LIKE ELENA! I hope she never regains the world No. 1 until she develops some humility.Rapunzel13-09-2026
- Sabalenka began showing signs of her game gradually 'changing' since last season. I predicted her fascination with posting endless Selfies, participating in commercial media distractions and constant Social Media nonsense could impact her in a negative way. Her off-court Life was sure to interfere with her performace level. Visions of Raducanu, Giorgi, Bouchard come to mind. The Final yesterday was a weird case of polar-opposites. Sabalenka and Rybakina could not be any more different in personalities! Saba often portrays a somewhat fake persona, including her Phony Screaming. Her usual habit of acting like the nice girl with a sense of humor is a misconception. People take her lack of intellect as "cute" and "funny". So anyway... yesterday viewers witnessed that Fake Scream be reduced to a whimper and sometimes no vocal gymnastics at all once she knew the jig was up. We all saw her look into the camera post-match and say "F... You". Also, pretty hard to not see Saba making untoward facial expressions, rolling her eyes, etc., behind Rybakina while on the podium. Elena Rybakina, on the other hand, was her usual 'in-control' self as she spoke clearly and calmly, without making faces nor any ill-will toward anyone = 100% Class Act. Lena appeared more than aware of Saba's sour attitude and made a point of not looking in her direction most of the time. FWIW: I have never -- not ever -- heard Sabalenka make any sounds on practice courts. So it is indeed a nonsensical ruse as she thinks (incorrectly) it affects opponents. It does not. In fact, as was the case yesterday, I saw Lena occasionally take a side-eye glance at Saba on her way to the bench... as if to calculate her emotions. Saba is actually a very easy 'read'.mandoist13-09-2026
- WTA really, really hates this sort of thing. They surely are satisfied to make believe no such thing happens (or happened).mandoist13-09-2026
- WTA and ATP cannot even make their dope testing equal and precise across the board. They sure as hell cannot escape a stituation they themselves made over the ridiculous "penalty" of omitting a player's country flag. Nothing regarding which flags to display (or not) should be a Thing. It proves nothing; solves nothing. If anything, all it did was cause stress, tension, and even outbursts between players in the WTA locker room. Let's not even start with the asinine practice of not shaking hands at the net with "the enemy". There seems to be a general lack of intelligence behind Pro Tennis administrations' Closed Doors. .mandoist13-09-2026
- Big Babe Tennis! Hoping for a good final.DaveyWavey12-09-2026
- Director needs to return to his old "job" at the Australia Open. He's clueless in NYC.mandoist12-09-2026
- You keep writing ridiculous crap... why are you even watching tennis?mandoist12-09-2026
- They probably have a very good reason for this. I do not get it. Annoying that it finishes so late
AceOfBase12-09-2026
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