Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has endured a turbulent 2025 season, marked by flashes of brilliance but overshadowed by three high-profile collapses since her fourth-round exit at the French Open. The 26-year-old Kazakhstani star, known for her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game, has faced a series of heart-wrenching defeats that have tested her resilience and left fans questioning her ability to close out crucial matches. Despite a triumphant title run in Strasbourg in May 2025, Rybakina’s recent performances in Dubai, Roland Garros, and Berlin have highlighted a troubling pattern of squandered leads, raising concerns about her mental fortitude as she heads into the hard-court season.
The first of Rybakina’s setbacks came at the Dubai Championships in February 2025, where she faced Ekaterina Alexandrova in the semifinals. Rybakina dominated early, building a commanding lead with a set and a break in the third. Her blistering groundstrokes and 16 aces kept Alexandrova on the defensive, but as the finish line approached, Rybakina’s game unraveled. Alexandrova capitalized, clawing back to win 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in a match that saw Rybakina falter under pressure. “I’m really happy with the week, with the way I played these matches,” Rybakina said after her Strasbourg triumph, reflecting on her season. “It was not easy, but I think I’m on the right way, playing better each match.” Yet, the Dubai loss exposed a vulnerability that would resurface in subsequent tournaments.
At the French Open in May 2025, Rybakina arrived in Paris buoyed by her Strasbourg title, her first in over a year. Seeded 12th, she stormed through her opening matches against Julia Riera and Iva Jovic, then dispatched 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-2 in a commanding display. Her fourth-round clash with top seed Iga Świątek promised to be a blockbuster, given their 4-4 head-to-head and Rybakina’s ability to neutralize Świątek’s return game with her serve. Rybakina surged ahead, winning the first set 6-4 and breaking early in the second. But Świątek, a four-time Roland Garros champion, mounted a comeback, exploiting Rybakina’s unforced errors to claim a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory. “No matter the results of today, I played some tough matches, tough opponents,” Rybakina noted, trying to focus on the positives. “Now I think that I have a little bit more confidence coming to Paris, and hopefully I can play as good as I played here, and even better.” The defeat, however, stung, marking another missed opportunity on a big stage.
The most dramatic collapse came at the Berlin Open in June 2025, where Rybakina faced world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals. After defeating Katerina Siniakova in straight sets, Rybakina took control against Sabalenka, holding four consecutive match points in the final-set tiebreak. Her aggressive play and pinpoint serving had Sabalenka on the ropes, but Rybakina’s composure faltered at the critical moment. Sabalenka, showcasing her champion’s resolve, saved all four match points and clinched a 7-6(6), 3-6, 7-6(6) victory in a three-hour epic. “It’s tough to predict in women’s tennis,” Sabalenka said afterward, deflecting the pressure of being the favorite. For Rybakina, the loss was a gut punch, echoing the frustration of her earlier collapses. Social media buzzed with sympathy, with one fan lamenting, “How do you not go insane if you’re Elena Rybakina?” after listing her string of near-misses.
These setbacks have been compounded by off-court challenges. Rybakina’s season has been marred by health issues, including a withdrawal from the 2023 French Open due to a viral illness that left her unable to breathe or compete. “I just wanted to give 100%, and obviously I’m far from being 100%,” she said at the time, sounding congested and defeated. More recently, her decision to rehire controversial coach Stefano Vukov, who was banned by the WTA for a year in February 2025 following allegations of abusive conduct, has sparked debate. Despite the ban, Rybakina confirmed they train together between tournaments, stating, “We usually practice together between the tournaments, not when the tournament is on.” Her loyalty to Vukov, whom she insists never mistreated her, has drawn scrutiny, especially after reports of his persistent behavior during their brief split in 2024.
Rybakina’s game, built on a thunderous serve and flat, clean ball-striking, remains a force when firing on all cylinders. Her Strasbourg triumph, where she fired 16 aces to defeat Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-1, showcased her potential to dominate. Yet, her high-risk style, which prioritizes quick points, has led to an accumulation of unforced errors in critical moments, contributing to her 2025 struggles. With a career-high ranking of No. 3 now a distant memory—she sits at No. 11 as of July 2025—Rybakina faces pressure to regain consistency. Her upcoming match against Leylah Fernandez at the Washington Open on July 26, 2025, offers a chance to rebuild momentum, but another collapse looms as a risk, given her recent history.
As Rybakina navigates the hard-court season, her ability to overcome these mental and physical hurdles will be crucial. With nine career titles, including Wimbledon 2022, she has the pedigree to reclaim her place among the elite. However, the sting of these three collapses—each marked by a lead squandered in the face of fierce opposition—serves as a reminder of the fine margins in professional tennis. Fans and analysts alike await her response, hoping the Kazakhstani star can harness her immense talent and rediscover the form that made her a Grand Slam champion.
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