"Probably the best player in the draw playing indoors": Rennae Stubbs on Elena Rybakina's WTA Finals prospects

Rennae Stubbs, former coach of Serena Williams, considers that Elena Rybakina may be the best player in the 2024 WTA Finals Draw when it comes to playing on indoor hardcourts. The Kazakh has had a peculiar season, marked by frequent withdrawals due to physical issues and recently reported mental health struggles.

However, when she competed, she consistently made deep runs, winning three titles and reaching two more finals. Despite not playing in over two months, she holds a record of 41-9 (82%), outperforming other players in the draw who played the full season, such as Jasmine Paolini (37-17) and Jessica Pegula (38-13).

There’s little doubt that Rybakina is one of the best players of the past three years, although her time away raises questions about her current level. Stubbs commented on her podcast that it’s hard to predict how the 25-year-old Kazakh will perform in the tournament.

"I don’t know how Elena is going to do. It’s going to be a very big test for her. Who is going to be coaching her? Who is she there with? That’s all stuff that I could probably find out on my own without putting it out into the ether, but if you want to let me know, do it."

Stubbs added that Rybakina is likely the best player suited for an indoor hardcourt environment, even over Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek. "But it will be interesting. Look, she plays really good tennis indoors. She is probably at her best, probably the best player in the draw playing indoors," Stubbs added.

Rybakina is set to debut on Saturday, November 2, against the 4th seed Jasmine Paolini. She also shares a group with Zheng Qinwen and Aryna Sabalenka in the round robin stage, where the top two players will advance.