Who is Elena Rybakina? – breakout 2020, power game, Kazakhstan
Powerful, poised and rising up the rankings. Find out more about the game and upbringing of Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina.
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Where was Elena Rybakina born?
Elena Rybakina was born on Juny 17, 1999 in Moscow, Russia. Oddly, she shares a birthday with Venus Williams, but is 19 years younger.
What is Elena Rybakina’s game style?
Rybakina is an extremely powerful aggressive baseliner. She stands at 6’0″ tall and cracks the ball big off of both wings. She also has a powerful serve and is able to control the points from the first ball in her service games.
Elena Rybakina plays for the climb to the top. 💪#WTAForTheGame pic.twitter.com/odnxWcKSfW
— wta (@WTA) December 6, 2020
Who is Elena Rybakina’s coach?
Rybakina is coached by Stefano Vukov. She began working with Vukov in February of 2019, because her previous coach, Andrei Chesnokov, was unable to travel with her. Vukov is a former ATP pro from Croatia. The pair have experienced tremendous success together.
What type of racquet does Rybakina use?
Rybakina uses the Yonex Vcore 100 racquet, and she plays with Nike shoes and wears Adidas apparel.
How many titles has Elena Rybakina won?
Rybakina won her first two titles in 2019-2020. She claimed the Bucharest Open title, just a month after turning 20 years old. Early in 2020, Rybakina won the Hobart title, defeating Zhang Shuai in the final.
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What was special about Elena Rybakina’s 2020 season?
Many things. Rybakina led the WTA in final appearances with five and also led the tour in aces with 193. She also made her top 20 debut, becoming the first player from Kazakhstan in the top 20.
Why does Rybakina play for Kazakhstan ?
The Kazakh Tennis Federation offered her financial help to play for their flag, so Rybakina switched federations and became a Kazakh citizen in 2018.
“The Kazakhstan Federation made me an offer and the decision was easier,” she told WTA Insider in 2020. “I changed my citizenship to Kazakhstan because they believed in me and they offered. I was not so good when they offered. So they believed in me and they’re helping me a lot.”
When did Rybakina start playing tennis?
She started playing tennis when she was six. Her father brought her to the courts. She had previously done figure skating and gymnastics but she grew to be too tall and tennis seemed a natural fit.
Under the radar 👀
Getting to know Elena Rybakina, the 20-year-old Kazakh who has gone from No.450 to the Top 30 in just two years ⬇https://t.co/epIKpUVJ8j#AusOpen I #AO2020 pic.twitter.com/T6S1ZZfmBX
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
What is Rybakina’s career-high ranking?
Rybakina reached No 17 in the WTA rankings on February 24, 2020. She begins the 2021 season at a ranking of 19.
Who was Rybakina’s idol growing up?
Rybakina, like so many, idolizes Roger Federer. She also admires the game of Justine Henin.
