Elena Rybakina, one of the most promising and dynamic players on the WTA Tour, has set her sights on achieving the world No. 1 ranking in 2024. The 25-year-old from Kazakhstan, who has already proven herself to be a formidable force in women’s tennis, believes that the upcoming year could be the one where she reaches the pinnacle of the sport.
Currently ranked No. 5 in the world, Rybakina’s goal is to break into the top spot, joining the ranks of other elite players such as Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, and Coco Gauff. Her consistent performances, combined with her powerful game, have positioned her as one of the players to watch in the coming years.
### A Strong Finish to the 2023 Season
Rybakina’s 2023 season has been a mixture of challenges and triumphs. Despite struggling with fitness issues that saw her miss more than two months of action earlier in the year, the Kazakh star finished the season on a positive note, highlighted by an impressive run in the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although her journey at the Finals came to an end last Thursday, she ended the tournament on a high by defeating the reigning world No. 1 in her final group match.
Rybakina’s 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Iga Świątek, the Polish star who has dominated women’s tennis in recent years, was a significant achievement. It was a match that showcased Rybakina’s growth and resilience, particularly in the third set, where her serving was at its best. After the match, Rybakina reflected on her performance, acknowledging that while she wasn’t at her absolute peak, she was pleased with how she had played given the circumstances.
“I think today I served really well, and especially in the third set,” Rybakina said in her post-match comments. “So I’m pretty happy that this was an improvement, and I think maybe my movement was a little bit better. But of course, overall, I know that I’m not at my best, and if I had maybe more weeks and some other matches, I think I would have played even better. But with all the circumstances, I’m really happy overall with how I played this tournament. My goals are to win Grand Slams, definitely. And the main goal is to become world No. 1 one day. So hopefully next year.”
Her performance in Riyadh was a strong reminder of her immense talent and potential. While her time in the tournament was cut short, Rybakina demonstrated the level of play that could see her rise to the very top of the women’s game.
### 2023: A Year of Progress and Consistency
Despite her injury setbacks, Rybakina enjoyed a highly successful year in 2023, finishing with an impressive 41 wins in 50 matches. Her win-loss record was a testament to her consistency and ability to perform at the highest level, even when dealing with physical challenges. Along the way, she claimed three singles titles, further solidifying her status as one of the best players in the world.
Rybakina’s first title of the year came at the Brisbane International, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-0, 6-3 in the final. This victory was a significant one, as it marked her first title since winning Wimbledon in 2022. It also gave her a much-needed boost after a few months of uncertainty, both on and off the court.
Her second title came at the Abu Dhabi Open, where she triumphed over Daria Kasatkina in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. The victory showcased Rybakina’s ability to dominate her opponents, as she controlled the match from start to finish.
In the latter part of the season, Rybakina added another title to her collection at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. In this final, she defeated Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2, cementing her place among the game’s elite. The title was particularly sweet for Rybakina as it was a hard-fought victory against a rising talent in Kostyuk, and it showcased her capacity to perform under pressure.
These victories, along with her consistent results throughout the year, were instrumental in her climb to the No. 5 spot in the world rankings. Although she faced challenges with injuries, Rybakina’s strong performances when she was fit proved that she is one of the best players on tour.
### A Rising Star Among the Elite
Rybakina’s rise to the top of women’s tennis is no coincidence. Known for her powerful serving, aggressive baseline game, and mental toughness, Rybakina has all the tools to compete with the best in the world. Her game is suited to the modern demands of women’s tennis, where power and consistency are paramount.
Rybakina’s win at Wimbledon in 2022, where she defeated Ons Jabeur in the final, was a breakthrough moment for the Kazakh player. It not only put her on the map as a major title contender but also showcased her potential to compete at the highest level on a consistent basis. Since then, she has continued to build on that success, and her 2023 season only reinforced the belief that she has what it takes to become world No. 1.
Her consistency in big tournaments, including her performances at the Grand Slams, has made her one of the most formidable players on the WTA Tour. At the Australian Open in January, Rybakina reached the fourth round before falling to Aryna Sabalenka, while she made it to the quarterfinals of the US Open in September. Rybakina’s ability to challenge the best players in the world on the biggest stages is a testament to her growing confidence and maturity as a player.
### Aiming for the World No. 1 Spot
Looking ahead to 2024, Rybakina’s goal is clear: to become world No. 1. With the WTA Tour becoming more competitive each year, achieving that goal will require her to consistently outplay the likes of Świątek, Sabalenka, Gauff, and others. However, based on her performance over the past few seasons, it is clear that Rybakina has the potential to do so.
“I’m still working on my game, and I know there’s room for improvement,” Rybakina stated in an interview earlier this year. “I believe I can be even better, and that’s what motivates me every day. I want to be the best, and to be No. 1, I have to keep improving and learning from every match I play.”
With her powerful serve, aggressive groundstrokes, and newfound mental toughness, Rybakina’s game is well-suited for the rigors of a top-level career. If she can stay healthy and maintain her form, the world No. 1 ranking is certainly within her reach.
As the 2024 season approaches, Rybakina’s eyes are firmly fixed on the top of the rankings. Whether she can achieve that goal remains to be seen, but her trajectory over the past few years suggests that she will be a key contender for the title of world No. 1 in the near future.
### Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
Elena Rybakina has had an exceptional 2023 season, marked by impressive title wins and notable performances on the biggest stages in tennis. As she looks ahead to 2024, she is determined to make the leap to the top of the WTA rankings and secure the No. 1 spot. With her talent, work ethic, and resilience, Rybakina is undoubtedly one of the brightest stars in women’s tennis today—and a player who could dominate the game for years to come. As she continues to push for her ultimate goal of becoming world No. 1, there is little doubt that she will be a force to reckon with in the years ahead.