Elena Rybakina has experienced a roller-coaster season to say the least, with her focus now turning towards Wimbledon.
Rybakina has already arrived at the All England Club, where the grass-court Grand Slam is set to get underway later this month.
The WTA number two enters the tournament on a very disappointing run of form, most recently losing her opening match of the Berlin Open to Alexandra Eala.
Who will be ranked higher by the end of 2026 – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
Before that, Rybakina won just once at the French Open, and suffered the same fate in her first grass event of 2026 at Queen’s.
However, the Kazakhstan ace can still be confident of not only recovering at Wimbledon, but of going all the way.
Elena Rybakina can still be confident of winning Wimbledon
Firstly, and very importantly, Rybakina is a former Wimbledon champion, having lifted the prestigious trophy back in 2022.
Defeating Ons Jabeur in the final, that superb run should give her plenty of confidence on the iconic courts at SW19.
Secondly, she boasts two titles this season alone, including the small matter of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
And perhaps most significantly, Rybakina has been the standout server on the WTA Tour in the 2026 season.
Serving is such a crucial skill on the grass courts of Wimbledon, and her numbers of late suggest she can serve her way to the title.
She comfortably leads the way for most aces with 280, while Rybakina (64.1%) is behind only Aryna Sabalenka (64.9%) for service points won.
Many players, such as WTA legend Serena Williams, have proven just how crucial a lethal serve really is at the All England Club.
Elena Rybakina’s Grand Slam finals history
Rybakina could not have started her year any better, claiming her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
Her inspired run in Melbourne ended with a fantastic victory over Sabalenka, who she defeated 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
And that success was significant in more ways than one, with the Belarusian having defeated the Kazakhstani in the 2023 Australian Open final.
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| Win | 2022 | Wimbledon | Grass | Ons Jabeur | 3–6, 6–2, 6–2 |
| Loss | 2023 | Australian Open | Hard | Aryna Sabalenka | 6–4, 3–6, 4–6 |
| Win | 2026 | Australian Open | Hard | Aryna Sabalenka | 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 |
Shortly after Melbourne this year, Rybakina claimed her 13th WTA title on the clay courts of Stuttgart, but has thus far had issues on grass.
But an early arrival at Wimbledon should help her get used to the surface at SW19, where a third Grand Slam title certainly looks possible.
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