End of WTA Finals 2025: The graceful Rybakina "cuts through wind and waves"

10/11/2025 07:24:00 pandatv

The biggest triumph in three years allows Elena Rybakina to conclude a demanding season with renewed hope as she heads into 2026.

After months of turmoil and internal conflicts, Elena Rybakina ended the 2025 season by winning the WTA Finals in Riyadh. In the final match last weekend, she defeated the world’s top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 (0).

From early-season chaos to a revival journey

This is Rybakina’s most significant title since Wimbledon 2022 and a testament to the Kazakh player’s strength, courage, and resilience during a "stormy" year.

When the Riyadh tournament began, experts noticed a shared trait among the top players this year: steadfastness in overcoming adversity. Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Amanda Anisimova all experienced downturns before mounting strong comebacks. Initially, Rybakina was not among them — but now she is the clearest example.

Early in 2025, Rybakina became embroiled in controversy when her coach Stefano Vukov was accused of abuse and faced a potential ban from the WTA tour. Seeking a solution, Rybakina hired Goran Ivanisevic, former coach of Novak Djokovic. However, shortly after, she recalled Vukov to join Ivanisevic in Australia. This disruption led Ivanisevic to withdraw, leaving the coaching staff in disarray.

This shock prevented Rybakina from regaining her form. Despite twice reaching Grand Slam finals, she failed to reach quarterfinals in any major tournament that year. The coaching uncertainty lasted until August when Vukov was cleared and reinstated. Rybakina immediately reunited with him, and positive changes began. Still, she had to make a late push by winning the Ningbo title to secure the last WTA Finals spot.

"This season was really tough," Rybakina said before the tournament. "I can’t say it was my best season, but I’m happy to be here. I played the full season without skipping many events, but clearly the results were not like before."

Peak form in Riyadh

A busy October schedule unintentionally helped Rybakina keep excellent ball control. Though a bit tired from constant travel, she arrived in Riyadh more "in rhythm" than anyone else — and it quickly showed.

Elena Rybakina won her biggest title since Wimbledon 2022

Rybakina started with a convincing win over Amanda Anisimova, then crushed Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-0 in the last two group matches. In the semifinals, despite losing the first set to Jessica Pegula, she staged a stunning comeback to reach the final. In the final, Rybakina defeated world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka — regarded as the "power queen" of the WTA.

Sabalenka often claims no one can dominate her, and most of the time that’s true. But not in Riyadh. Though the 6-3, 7-6(0) score seems close, stats show a one-sided match: Rybakina served 13 aces, hit 36 winners (compared to Sabalenka’s 12), won 10 of 12 net points, held serve throughout, and was perfect in the second set tiebreak.

"I tried to stay focused until the very end," she said. "Only when the umpire said ‘game, set, match’ did I believe it was over. I had been come-from-behind in a tiebreak before, so I wasn’t taking any chances this time."

Rybakina defeated Sabalenka not only with powerful serves and precise cross-court shots but also with great fighting spirit. In the first set, when down 0-40 on Sabalenka’s serve, she relentlessly chased a volley and countered with a delicate lob that forced an error. That was the only break and the match’s turning point. Sabalenka admitted: "She played incredibly. I gave my all, but today it wasn’t enough."

Sabalenka showed resilience in 2025, highlighted by her US Open title after a painful losing streak at Grand Slams. However, the loss in Riyadh again revealed her weakness in big finals — pressure limiting her freedom on court.

A new start for Rybakina

The WTA Finals victory strongly confirms that three and a half years after her Wimbledon win, Elena Rybakina remains a top-tier player. With coaching stability and mental balance restored, she can beat anyone at her best.

Rybakina has always been unpredictable — able to topple top opponents but also lose matches she seemed favored to win. However, the Riyadh title marks a new chapter: confidence, consistency, and determination to reach new heights. "This win motivates me a lot," she said. "I hope to rest well, keep this mindset, and improve next season. We will work hard to get better and start strong."

After a turbulent year, Rybakina overcame everything to finish the season at its peak. If she maintains her current form and spirit, she could make 2026 her brightest comeback year ever. That will be a new Elena Rybakina — stronger and more mature than ever.

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