Also known as: the big-serving Kazakh Rybakina · the Moscow-born Rybakina · the 26-year-old Rybakina
Elena Rybakina — Kazakh tennis player who won the 2026 Australian Open and reached the Indian Wells final, losing to Aryna Sabalenka.
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The Namibian
Elena Rybakina suffered a surprise exit in a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 defeat against Elise Mertens
“Former Wimbledon champion Rybakina also suffered a surprise exit in a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 defeat against Elise Mertens on Court One.”
Swiatek dumped out of Wimbledon by Eala, Serena withdraws from doublesThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final
“The only blight on that record being a three-set defeat to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final.”
Stuttering Sabalenka seeks to set down marker at Roland GarrosNew Era
Elena Rybakina beat Sabalenka at the Australian Open
“There were again serious question marks over Sabalenka's mentality in finals after she was beaten by Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open but the resilient Belarusian has answered those in style.”
Sabalenka beats Gauff to seal Miami Open and Indian Wells doubleThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open finals
“Sabalenka underscored her WTA dominance in a season in which her only defeat to date was her Australian Open finals loss to Elena Rybakina — who she went on to beat in the Indian Wells title match and in the semi-finals here.”
Sabalenka sinks Gauff to win second straight Miami Open titleThe Namibian
Rybakina will arrive in Miami ranked second in the world
“Rybakina will arrive in Miami ranked second in the world, climbing one spot to overtake Poland's Iga Swiatek.”
Sabalenka edges Rybakina to claim long awaited Indian Wells titleThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina beat Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-4
“Sabalenka beat 14th-ranked Czech Noskova 6-3, 6-4 and Rybakina downed Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-4 to set up a mouth-watering rematch of their Melbourne final.”
Sabalenka downs Noskova to set Indian Wells title rematch with RybakinaThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina won 12 straight victories over top-10 opponents
“But Rybakina made no mistake as she served for the match a second time, nabbing her 12th straight victory over top-10 opponents.”
Sabalenka downs Noskova to set Indian Wells title rematch with RybakinaThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina won Australian Open final against Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
“Elena Rybakina took revenge over world number one Aryna Sabalenka to win a nail-biting Australian Open final on Saturday and clinch her second Grand Slam title.”
Ice cool Rybakina beats Sabalenka in tense Australian Open finalThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina beat Iga Swiatek in quarter-finals and Jessica Pegula in last four
“Rybakina beat second seed Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals and sixth seed Jessica Pegula in the last four in Melbourne.”
Ice cool Rybakina beats Sabalenka in tense Australian Open finalThe Namibian
Rybakina won last time they met, at WTA Finals in November
“While Sabalenka leads their head-to-head record 8-6, Rybakina won the last time they met, in the decider at the WTA Finals in November in Saudi Arabia, in straight sets.”
Rybakina stands in way of Sabalenka bid for third Melbourne titleAlexandra Eala of the Philippines defeated Iga Swiatek 7-6 (11/9), 6-2 in the third round of Wimbledon, ending the defending champion's title defence and marking Eala's first Grand Slam last-16 appearance. Serena Williams withdrew from the doubles tournament, while second seed Elena Rybakina also crashed out.
1 hour ago · The Namibian →
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines defeated Iga Swiatek 7-6 (11/9), 6-2 in the third round of Wimbledon, ending the defending champion's title defence and marking Eala's first Grand Slam last-16 appearance. Serena Williams withdrew from the doubles tournament, while second seed Elena Rybakina also crashed out.
1 hour ago · The Namibian →
World number one Aryna Sabalenka crashed out of the French Open quarter-finals to 25th seed Diana Shnaider, losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 after collapsing mentally in the second set. Shnaider advances to face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the semi-finals, while Flavio Cobolli won to set up an all-Italian men's semi-final.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →
World number one Aryna Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, arrives in Paris for Roland Garros aiming to win the tournament after finishing as runner-up last year to Coco Gauff. Her dominance has shown signs of weakness following recent losses, including a quarter-final exit at Madrid to 30th seed Hailey Baptiste during the European clay swing.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to successfully defend her Miami Open title and complete the Sunshine Double, becoming the first player since Iga Swiatek four years ago to win the WTA 1000 titles in Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back.
30 March 2026 · New Era →
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to win her second consecutive Miami Open title, completing the Indian Wells-Miami "Sunshine Double" sweep. The world number one from Belarus became the first woman since Iga Swiatek in 2022 to win both elite early season hardcourt WTA 1000 titles.
29 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Aryna Sabalenka saved a match point to defeat Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) in the Indian Wells final on Sunday, claiming her first title at the event after previous losses to Rybakina in four consecutive finals. The victory ended a frustrating run against Rybakina, including losses at Indian Wells in 2023 and the Australian Open in January.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4, and Elena Rybakina beat Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-4, to meet in the Indian Wells title match for a rematch of their Australian Open final.
14 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Elena Rybakina defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the Australian Open final to claim her second Grand Slam title. The Kazakh fifth seed held her nerve in a tense match at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to take revenge after losing the 2023 final to the same opponent.
1 February 2026 · The Namibian →
World number one Aryna Sabalenka clashes with Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open women's final on Saturday. Both players have reached the final without dropping a set and will meet for the first time since their 2023 Australian Open final, which Sabalenka won before successfully defending the title in 2024.
31 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Jannik Sinner defeated fellow Italian Luciano Darderi to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals, while defending champion Madison Keys lost to Jessica Pegula as Melbourne faced forecast temperatures of 45C. The tournament implemented health measures including 10-minute breaks during longer matches and plans to use indoor courts as extreme heat continues.
27 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner advanced to the third round of the Australian Open, with Sinner defending his two-time title and Djokovic pursuing a record 25th Grand Slam. Stan Wawrinka, at 40, became the oldest player in 45 years to reach the men's third round at a Grand Slam before retiring.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Jannik Sinner won his opening match at the Australian Open when opponent Hugo Gaston retired, while Naomi Osaka drew attention with a jellyfish-inspired outfit of white parasol, wide-brimmed hat and veil before defeating Croatia's Antonia Ruzic.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →