Elena Rybakina is a famous tennis player who, although in her early 20s, has risen to become one of the best female players in Kazakhstan’s history. She began playing as a little girl and turned pro in 2016. From then, she has played in the US Open, Wimbledon, French Open, and Australian Open and has taken home the 2022 Wimbledon.
Beyond these, here are some fascinating things to know about the 25 years old tennis sensation.
Interesting Facts About Elena Rybakina
1. Elena Rybakina was born in Moscow and was Russian
Elena Andreyevna Rybakina is now considered a Kazakhstani but she was born in Moscow, Russia on June 17, 1999. By virtue of her birth, she was Russian.
She maintained her citizenship until the Kazakhstan Federation made her an offer in 2018 which gave her an opportunity to play for the country professionally. It was at that point that she switched allegiance.
Nonetheless, she currently still resides in Moscow.
2. She was brought up in a small family
Elena Rybakina was brought up by her parents, Andrey Rybakina and Ekaterina Rybakina, in a small family of two kids; Elena and her older sister, Anna Rybakina who is three years older. The two sisters played together when they were little, but Elena revealed that her sister now knows nothing about tennis and doesn’t seem to be so much interested.
The Moscow born grew up in a family that was not well-to-do, but was closely knitted. Because of the financial state of her family, she did not get to start attending an athletic school early enough.
3. Rybakina was brought to tennis by her father
When she was a little girl, Rybakina started out doing gymnastics and ice skating with the hopes of going professional.
Everything changed by the time she was 6 years old as she was told she couldn’t go pro because of her massive height. It was at that point that her father who was once interested in Tennis introduced her to the sport. She fell in love with it and never looked back.
4. She has not always been good with Tennis
After Elena Rybakina switched from her earliest passion to Tennis, she wasn’t so good, even though she had a love for it.
Her early years in tennis school were not the best for her as she was almost always on the losing side. This dampened her confidence until she reached the ITF Grade 3 qualifiers and subsequently won the tournament. This was what gave boosted her self-belief and changed her path.
5. Elena Rybakina became the first to win a grand slam title for Kazakhstan
In 2022, Elena gave came from behind to beat then-World no. 3, Ons Jabeur to win the Wimbledon in a 3-6 6-2 6-2 win. Winning the dish was the first for her and the first for her country. A late bloomer, she is also a finalist in the 2023 Australian open.
So far, she has three WTA singles titles to her name, including the 2019 Bucharest Open, and then Hobart Open in 2020.
6. Stefano Vukov has been instrumental in her rise
In 2019, the Russian-Born tennis star hired Stefano Vukov, a former Croatian tennis player as her coach. More than just becoming her first traveling manager, Vukov has become instrumental in her style of play as she continues to grow rapidly. The two have a great professional relationship.
Before him, she was previously coached by Andrei Chesnokov, a former Russian tennis player.
7. Roger Federer is her tennis idol
Rybakina revealed that her biggest idol in Tennis is Swiss star, Roger Federer. Someone else that she looks up to is Justin Henin, even though she agrees their style of play is quite different.
8. Her love life remains largely unclear
At the moment, who Elena Rybakina’s boyfriend may be, is not known, although there are suggestions that she might as well be single.
With so much uncertainty surrounding her love life, she has once revealed that she is too busy working to have a hobby or do most things outside of tennis.
9. Elena Rybakina has a good height
As regards Elena Rybakina’s height, she stands at a height of 6 feet 5 inches (1.84 meters). This places the right-handed player a little bit taller than other great tennis players including Serena Williams at 5 feet 9, Victoria Azarenka at 5 feet 11, and Naomi Osaka whose height is 5 feet 11 inches.
As indicated, her height does not just serve as an advantage for her in tennis, but it was what made her switch to the sport from gymnastics.
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10. Elena’s net worth in 2023 has exceeded $2 million
Elena Rybakina currently has a net worth which is estimated at over $2 million. This is a significant rise from her fortune which was pegged at around $1.5 million in 2022. The 25 year-old tennis star has raked in over $7.5 million in Prize money so far, with more than $1.2 million coming in 2023.
Beyond her earnings, she has also made money from her different endorsement deals. Her most recognized contract is with Adidas, although the value is not known. Before she signed the contract in 2020, she was previously with Nike.
She also has a deal with Yonex as well as with Bank RBK since January 2023.
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