The odds were firmly stacked against Elena Rybakina heading into her WTA Finals clash with world number one Aryna Sabalenka. Rybakina, currently ranked fifth in the world, was coming off a mixed season and was seen as the underdog in her encounter with the in-form Belarusian. With Sabalenka on a seven-match winning streak and boasting a solid 6-3 head-to-head advantage over Rybakina, expectations were high for the top seed to continue her dominance. However, in a surprising turn of events, Rybakina emerged victorious, defeating Sabalenka 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in a thrilling contest.
The victory was especially significant for Rybakina as it came at a time when many had written her off. Not only had she been dealing with a series of setbacks throughout the season, but she had also been playing on the back foot during the WTA Finals. Despite her win, Rybakina’s hopes of advancing to the semifinals were dashed due to earlier losses in the tournament, but the performance against Sabalenka provided her with a much-needed boost ahead of the 2024 season.
### Rybakina’s Struggles and Sabalenka’s Form
For much of the season, Rybakina had been playing catch-up. She had entered the WTA Finals after suffering an early exit at the US Open, where she was forced to withdraw due to a back injury. The 25-year-old had only played three tournaments since Wimbledon, and her form had been patchy at best. While she had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the year, her results were inconsistent, and her form heading into the Finals was less than ideal.
On the other hand, Aryna Sabalenka was in the midst of a career-best run. As the world number one, Sabalenka had become one of the most dominant forces on the tour, and her seven-match winning streak heading into the WTA Finals was a testament to her resilience and confidence. The Belarusian had already secured her place in the semifinals before facing Rybakina, giving her some level of comfort heading into their matchup. However, Sabalenka’s dominant form wasn’t enough to fend off the determined Rybakina, who produced an inspired performance in the final set.
### A Brilliant Performance in the Third Set
Despite dropping the second set, Rybakina came out firing in the decider, dominating the third set with a display of power and precision that Sabalenka simply couldn’t match. The Kazakhstani star raced to a 6-1 victory in the third set, showcasing her mental toughness and ability to adapt under pressure. Former British number one Tim Henman was full of praise for Rybakina’s performance, particularly her display in the final set. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, Henman said: “Rybakina just dominated the latter part of the third set. She was so aggressive, and I’m really pleased for her. With all the trials and tribulations she has had, this is great from her. She will head into the off-season with good vibes.”
Rybakina’s performance against Sabalenka was not just about the win; it was a statement of intent. Despite having struggled with injuries and a lack of match fitness, the Kazakh player showed that she still has the game and the mental fortitude to beat the very best. The victory would have been a massive confidence booster for Rybakina, who now has an entire off-season to regroup and prepare for a fresh start in 2024.
### New Coaching Partnership: Goran Ivanišević Joins Rybakina’s Team
As Rybakina looks ahead to 2024, she has made a significant change to her team that could be a game-changer for her career. The 25-year-old has appointed former Croatian tennis star Goran Ivanišević as her new coach. Ivanišević, who won Wimbledon in 2001, is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the game. His success with Novak Djokovic, whom he worked with for several years, speaks to his ability to guide top-tier players to new heights.
While Rybakina and Ivanišević will not begin their work together until the new season, the appointment has already generated significant buzz. Rybakina’s decision to work with Ivanišević highlights her ambition to break into the very top echelon of women’s tennis consistently. The Croatian coach’s wealth of experience, particularly in the men’s game, could bring a new perspective to Rybakina’s game and help her harness her incredible power more effectively. With a coach of Ivanišević’s caliber by her side, Rybakina could potentially unlock new facets of her game and improve her consistency across the entire season.
### The Road to Recovery and Confidence for 2024
The 2023 season has been one of mixed fortunes for Rybakina, with injury struggles and a lack of match play hampering her ability to perform at her best. However, her victory over Sabalenka serves as a reminder of her potential when fully fit and firing on all cylinders. With Ivanišević coming on board, the future looks bright for Rybakina as she heads into the new season with renewed optimism and confidence.
While she was unable to progress beyond the round-robin stage of the WTA Finals, Rybakina’s win over Sabalenka is a valuable result to carry into the off-season. It will provide her with a much-needed confidence boost and serve as a strong foundation to build upon when the 2024 season begins. She will need to stay injury-free and continue to build her fitness to avoid the disruptions that affected her during 2023, but with her powerful game and new coaching partnership, Rybakina has every reason to believe that she can take her game to the next level in the coming year.
### Did Sabalenka Ease Up in Their Match?
There is, of course, the question of whether Aryna Sabalenka was fully committed to the match, given that she had already qualified for the semifinals before their encounter. Some might argue that the world number one could have taken her foot off the gas, knowing that her place in the next round was already secured. However, it’s important to note that Sabalenka, being the competitor that she is, would have wanted to maintain momentum and head into the semifinals with a full head of steam.
Sabalenka, despite the loss, will not be unduly concerned by her defeat. With her stellar season and remarkable consistency, she remains one of the most formidable players on the WTA tour. Her focus now will likely shift to her preparation for the upcoming 2024 season, where she will look to build on her success and defend her status as world number one.
### Looking Ahead to 2024
For Elena Rybakina, the 2023 season may not have ended as she had hoped, but her win over Sabalenka serves as a potent reminder of her potential. With the appointment of Goran Ivanišević and the promise of a fresh start in 2024, Rybakina will be hoping to make a serious push for Grand Slam titles and further cement her place among the sport’s elite. If she can stay healthy and maintain her focus, there’s no doubt that Rybakina has the game and the mentality to achieve great things in the new season. The future looks bright for the talented Kazakh, and the tennis world will be watching her every move with great interest.