Australian Open 2026: Elena Rybakina returns to the top after four-year wait for second major title

Elena Rybakina's victory over Aryna Sabalenka has reignited hope that the Kazakh star is ready to reclaim her spot at the top of women's tennis. The 26-year-old, who celebrated her second Grand Slam title after a four-year wait at the Australian Open, has demonstrated impressive form and resilience in recent months.

Rybakina's win marked her first major victory since Wimbledon in 2022, when she defeated Ons Jabeur to take home the championship. The victory not only cemented Rybakina's position as one of the top players on tour but also provided a significant boost to her ranking.

With this win, Rybakina has taken her place at number three in the world rankings, a career-high position she last occupied in September 2024. Her impressive display against Sabalenka saw her claim victory by a score of 6-4, 4-6, and 6-4, showcasing her remarkable endurance and ability to outmaneuver even the toughest opponents.

Rybakina's resurgence on the court is attributed to her consistent training and dedication. The former WTA Tour title winner has been working tirelessly with her coach Stefano Vukov to improve her game and maintain a high level of fitness.

According to British former player Annabel Croft, Rybakina's ball-striking quality is unparalleled, making her one of the most formidable opponents on the tour. Her ability to create depth on the court through precise strikes has allowed her to consistently outmaneuver even the toughest rivals.

The win at the Australian Open may serve as a springboard for Rybakina, who is now poised to target more major championships this year. Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash believes that grabbing two Grand Slams in a year could push Rybakina toward the number one ranking in the world, highlighting the immense potential she possesses.

Rybakina's journey to becoming one of the best players in women's tennis has been nothing short of remarkable. From her early days as a gymnast and ice skater to her recent rise on the WTA Tour, Rybakina has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to her craft.
 
I'm so hyped for Elena Rybakina 😊...but we've seen players come back strong before, you know? Four years is a looong time, and it's easy to say she's got this after one big win 🤔. That being said, her ball-striking skills are seriously on point, so I'm not entirely ruling out the possibility that she'll dominate the rest of the season 💪. Still, I'd love to see some consistency before we start calling her a #1 contender 🎾...but hey, a girl can dream, right? 😉
 
I gotta say, this win for Elena Rybakina is super good news! She's been working so hard with her coach Stefano Vukov, it's paying off big time 🙌. I mean, that ball-striking quality she has? Unbeatable 😎. And let's not forget, she's only 26, still got a lot of tennis left in her! But what I find interesting is how some people are saying this win could push her to number one ranking... I'm like, okay, we'll see about that 🤔. Still, it's awesome to see her on top form again 💪.
 
Wow 🎾💪 Elena Rybakina is getting back to where she belongs at no 3 in the world rankings after that big win at Aussie Open! She's been grinding hard with her coach and it's paying off - her ball-striking quality is insane 💥 I'm really hyped for her chances of grabbing more major championships this year, maybe even two 🤩
 
🤔 she's still got it!!! 26 and looking fierce 🚀 i was so hyped when i saw she finally broke through at Wimbledon last year, but it looks like this win is just the beginning 🔥 anyone who doubts her potential is crazy... those stats against Sabalenka were insane 😲 gotta keep an eye on her for the rest of the season, this girl's got game 🎾
 
What's up with Elena Rybakina's resurgence on the court? She's like, totally unstoppable now 🤯! I mean, four years without a Grand Slam win, and then boom! Two in one year... that's crazy. Is she just getting more confident or is there something else going on behind the scenes? Her training must be super intense to get her ready for these big matches 💪. And oh man, that ball-striking quality? It's like magic 🎩. I'm definitely keeping an eye on her this year... can we see a number one ranking from her now?
 
omg, this is so inspiring!!! 🤩 Elena Rybakina's comeback story is truly motivational! She's been through so much and still manages to dominate on the court. Her consistency and work ethic are paying off, and it's amazing to see her finally get the recognition she deserves. I mean, who wouldn't want to be one of the top players in the world? 🌟 The fact that she's only 26 years old is just crazy - there's so much time for her to continue growing and improving. And can we talk about how dedicated she is to her coach Stefano Vukov? That's what it takes to be at the top, you know? 💪
 
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