After Elena Rybakina's shock demolition of Iga Swiatek at WTA Finals, ex-pro makes fiery prediction about Kazakh's tennis future

A British former WTA star spoke emphatically about Elena Rybakina following her incredible 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 victory against Iga Swiatek at the ongoing 2025 WTA Finals. According to the former player, several coaches she has talked to on tour believe the Kazakh should have been a multiple Major champion by now. The same coaches apparently also speak to her of the Kazakh in a way as if she has it in her to challenge Aryna Sabalenka's dominance.

Rybakina famously won the 2022 Wimbledon Championships and has been ranked as high as No. 3 in the WTA Tour's singles rankings. However, she hasn't managed to add more Slams to her collection, even though she did come close to winning the 2023 Australian Open, where Sabalenka defeated her in the final.

The Kazakh went on to endure a disappointing 2024 overall. Even though she won three WTA 500 titles in the first half of the year, the second half of it was marred by a combination of illness and injuries.

Speaking to Sky Sports amid Elena Rybakina's ongoing campaign at the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former No. 27 Laura Robson remarked on how physically healthy the Kazakh looks at the moment compared to her struggles last year. Rybakina, currently ranked sixth, has so far registered impressive group stage wins over Amanda Anisimova and Iga Swiatek at the year-end event.

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

Robson went on to speak up about the way coaches on the WTA Tour appreciate the Kazakh as a player; someone who should have more Major titles than she does, and a potential contender for the No. 1 spot amid Aryna Sabalenka's reign at the summit.

"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," Robson added.

"I'm very happy" - Elena Rybakina reflects on comeback win over Iga Swiatek at WTA Finals 2025

Elena Rybakina during her group stage match against Iga Swiatek (not in picture) at the 2025 WTA Finals (Source: Getty)

In her post-match, on-court interview following her three-set victory against Iga Swiatek on Monday, November 3, Elena Rybakina praised the Pole's on-court intensity. She also highlighted how the improvement in her serving performance as the contest progressed helped her to snap a four-match losing streak against the former No. 1 and six-time Major champion.

"She brings so much intensity to the court. I feel like she started the match really well and I was a little bit slow, so on serve straight away, she broke me. It was difficult to be down, but in the second set, I pushed myself. My serve improved, and I’m really happy that I stepped in and played better each point. I’m very happy with my performance," Rybakina said.

Elena Rybakina reached the semifinals of the WTA Finals for the first time with her win over Iga Swiatek. As a result, the 26-year-old's final group stage match against the underperforming and possibly unwell Madison Keys has been reduced to a dead rubber for her.

Edited by Sudipto Pati