What multiple coaches on the WTA Tour are now all saying about Elena Rybakina

Elena Rybakina won her second match at the WTA Finals against Iga Swiatek following a remarkable comeback.

After conceding the first set, the Kazakh star lost just one game throughout the remainder of the contest to emerge victorious 3-6, 6-1, 6-0.

With Rybakina’s win over Amanda Anisimova in her opening clash at the year-end tournament, she now sits atop the Serena Williams group, with just Madison Keys left to play.

The world number six has been in impressive form in the latter stages of the season, having won eight consecutive matches.

Her performances as of late have caught the attention of several coaches around the WTA Tour, says former British tennis player Laura Robson.

Laura Robson reveals what coaches have said about Elena Rybakina

Rybakina has managed to stay relatively healthy this year, after suffering a number of setbacks last season, including a back injury which saw her sidelined for the entirety of the Asian swing.

“2024 was just week after week of her not feeling 100% on the court, but her just trying to play through it,” said Robson on Sky Sports.

“So to see her now physically look so much healthier out there, and what that does to her ball striking as well. It has always been so easy and effortless, but now it’s just tough to get a read on.

“I always find it interesting talking to the coaches around the tour, and pretty much all of them agree Rybakina should have won multiple, multiple slams by now and talk about her as if she is in the mix with Sabalenka to challenge for number one in the future.”

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Rybakina has won one Grand Slam title during her career, which she clinched at Wimbledon in 2022.

She made the final of the Australian Open in 2023, but lost to Aryna Sabalenka and also recorded a semifinal finish at Wimbledon in 2024.

“I just hope she has a healthy season in 2026 and we see the best of her,” concluded Robson.

Elena Rybakina’s eight match winning streak

Rybakina’s eight-match winning streak started at the Ningbo Open, where she earned four victories, including triumphs over Jasmine Paolini and Ekaterina Alexandrova en route to the title.

She then picked up two wins at the Pan Pacific Open, beating Canadian compatriots Leylah Fernandez and Victoria Mboko, before withdrawing from her semifinal match with Linda Noskova due to injury.

At the WTA Finals so far, she is 2-0 and will look to make it nine in a row against her third group stage opponent, Keys.

Against the American, Rybakina has won three and lost three, but took the victory in their last meeting at the Cincinnati Open.

Keys won their earlier matchup in 2025, however, which came at the Australian Open.

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