Watch: Elena Rybakina talks ‘driving around’ in Porsche supercar

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Elena Rybakina, the Kazakh tennis sensation and former Wimbledon champion, has always been a force on the court, wielding her racket with precision and power. But now, at 25, she’s mastering a new kind of control—behind the wheel of the sleek Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo she won at the 2024 Stuttgart Open. After famously admitting she didn’t have a driver’s license when she claimed the car, Rybakina has turned that lighthearted moment into a triumph, earning her license and embracing the open road. Her recent comments at the Billie Jean King Cup, where she shared tales of chauffeuring her team around Dubai, reveal a player as comfortable navigating life’s twists as she is dominating clay courts.

The story began in April 2024, when Rybakina stormed through the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, defeating Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2 to clinch her third title of the season. The victory came with a hefty €123,480 in prize money, 500 ranking points, and the ultimate trophy: a brand-new Porsche. But when it came time for the tournament’s tradition—a victory lap around the court in the prize car—Rybakina sparked laughter from the crowd with a sheepish confession. “Well guys, I actually don’t have a driver’s license,” she said, grinning. Instead of taking the wheel, she slid into the passenger seat, letting Porsche CEO Oliver Blume drive her around as fans cheered. “It’s gonna be the goal, of course. I mean, I want it already for a long time, so that’s a good motivation,” she added, her determination as clear off the court as on it.

Back then, Rybakina had a plan for her Porsche, even without a license. “For sure I will drive it around, and we are thinking to have it in Dubai,” she said, mentioning her then-coach Stefano Vukov and her mother, Ekaterina, as likely drivers until she could take over. “It’s going to be for sure Stefano driving, maybe my mom, hopefully me soon,” she quipped. The nomadic life of a tennis pro, with its constant travel, had made lessons tricky, but the allure of the Porsche fueled her resolve. “I never have the chance to be at one place for long,” she explained, noting she’d already dabbled in a few lessons.

Fast forward to the offseason, and Rybakina made good on her promise. Settling in Dubai, where she resides, she enrolled at a driving school, tackling lessons with a famously strict instructor. The hard work paid off—she passed her test, and by the time she spoke at the United Cup in late 2024, she was beaming with pride. “I got my driver’s license, so that’s a good thing,” she said, calling it one of her top off-court goals for the year. “I enjoyed some car rides already.” When teammate Alexander Shevchenko playfully asked which car she drove first, the answer was a Porsche Cayenne, though her Stuttgart prize soon became her ride of choice.

By April 2025, at the Billie Jean King Cup, Rybakina was reveling in her newfound freedom. After helping Kazakhstan secure a 2-1 victory over Australia with a 6-3, 7-6(4) win over Kimberly Birrell, she shared a delightful update. “Driving is going pretty well. I got my license,” she said during an on-court interview. “I have been doing pre-season in Dubai, so I have been going around with the team. I was dropping and taking everybody, so I was kind of a driver.” The image of the world No. 6 ferrying her squad around in a Porsche is as endearing as it is impressive, showcasing the same confidence she brings to her forehand.

Rybakina’s driving saga is more than a quirky footnote—it’s a testament to her ability to set goals and smash them, whether on clay or asphalt. As she gears up for the 2025 season with new coach Goran Ivanisevic, formerly Novak Djokovic’s mentor, she’s eyeing bigger prizes, like a No. 1 ranking and more Grand Slams. “It feels amazing,” she said of her Stuttgart achievement and her new driving skills. For Rybakina, the road ahead is wide open, and she’s clearly enjoying the ride.

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