Elena Rybakina – 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Her, and the Biggest Twist of All

Imagine this: a calm evening, the final rays of sunlight bouncing off the Wimbledon grass. There is silence in the stadium as everyone’s gaze is fixed on a tall, statuesque figure at the baseline.

The Kazakhstani tennis prodigy Elena Rybakina is about to serve. You could cut the tension with a spoon. But what’s really ticking behind those steely eyes?

There is more to her story than what shows on the surface—and when you reach the end of this article, you’ll find something you didn’t see coming.

Table of Contents

1. The Accidental Tennis Star
2. From Moscow to Kazakhstan
3. The Animal Lover
4. The Ace Machine
5. Grand Slam Glory at First Try
6. The Ice Queen
7. The Press Conference Wildcard
8. Rivalries and Friendships
9. The Coaching Puzzle
10. The Private Champion
The Shocking Twist: What Next for Elena Rybakina?
Final Thoughts

1. The Accidental Tennis Star

Rybakina’s path to tennis greatness was far from deliberate.

As a child, she excelled at gymnastics and ice-skating. But when she entered an enormous growth spurt, her parents knew those sports would no longer suit her. Her father, ever practical, nudged her in the direction of tennis.

It proved to be a stroke of genius. Today, her height and reach make Rybakina’s serve one of the most feared on the tour.

2. From Moscow to Kazakhstan

Elena was born in Moscow and began her career as a Russian. But in 2018, she took a bold gamble and relocated to Kazakhstan, lured by the prospect of better support for her blossoming career.

It was a massive gamble that paid off when she became the first Kazakhstani to win a Grand Slam singles title, making history and turning her adopted country into a tennis hub2 1.

3. The Animal Lover

Follow Rybakina off the court and you’ll see her surrounded by animals. She’s the proud mom of an adorable beagle named Mulia, and she’s constantly posting photos with her fur babies.

But it’s not all glossy pictures—she’s also passionate about animal welfare. In fact, she often visits shelters and supports causes such as Angels Heart in Kazakhstan. Her Instagram is a must-follow for animal lovers.

4. The Ace Machine

Serve? No one does it better than Rybakina. She’s led the WTA aces leaderboard more than once and launched more than 200 aces in one season.

Opponents know that if you’re facing Rybakina, you’re in for a hard time—her serve is slashing, accurate, and somewhere between melt-your-face and chew-the-lawnmower scary4 5.

5. Grand Slam Glory at First Try

Wimbledon 2022 represented a turning point for Rybakina. She not only reached her first Grand Slam final, but won it—and in her first major final to boot.

The pressure was tremendous, but she handled it with the composure of a veteran pro and made history for Kazakhstan—and, even more importantly, for herself as a force to be reckoned with1 2.

6. The Ice Queen

Rybakina is known for her poker face on the court. She rarely winces, win or lose. Her reaction was famously understated, even after winning Wimbledon.

Her reputation for being as cool as ice has won her the nickname “Ice Queen” from both fans and commentators.

7. The Press Conference Wildcard

If you’ve ever watched a Rybakina press conference, you know that nothing is quite what you expect. She is known for her frank, no-nonsense answers, which can be either refreshing or jarring, depending on your perspective.

Some appreciate her candor; others think she can be a little too blunt. Either way, she makes things interesting.

8. Rivalries and Friendships

Behind the scenes, Rybakina has fascinating relationships with other players. She has a fierce but friendly rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka, and their matches are always appointment television.

Off the court, she has suggested partnering with players such as Taylor Fritz to play mixed doubles, a move that would further enhance her burgeoning legacy1 6.

9. The Coaching Puzzle

Rybakina’s coaching has been something of a roller coaster. Her partnership with Stefano Vukov has yielded terrific results but also sparked debate.

Some are skeptical of his methods; others say that he is the reason for her success. One of the most discussed aspects of her career is the dynamic between them.

10. The Private Champion

Admittedly, Rybakina is an intensely private character despite her high profile.

She does not often provide much personal information, shying away from making herself the center of attention. This mystique only adds to her attraction, and she remains one of the most intriguing figures in the sport.

The Shocking Twist: What Next for Elena Rybakina?

And here’s the twist you knew was coming.

For many, Rybakina is the hard-hitting, big-serving gem that continues to shine on court, but not many are aware she’s also been working on a quiet passion project that remains dear to her.

For the past year, she’s been secretly shooting a documentary about animal rescue in Kazakhstan. In the project, tentatively titled Ace of Hearts, she goes to shelters, speaks to volunteers, and adopts animals in need.

But here’s the real shock: Rybakina has suggested that this may only be the start of a new chapter. In a recent interview, she said something that shocked me: “There are so many ways to serve the world.

Tennis is just one of them.” Does this suggest that she’s thinking about a post-court future? Time will be the judge of that, but the only thing that’s certain is this: Elena Rybakina’s story is not done yet.

Final Thoughts

Elena Rybakina is a tennis star, sure, but really she’s a woman of depth, a woman of mystery, a woman with unexpected passions. From her father’s sage advice to her top-secret documentary project, it’s a journey filled with surprises.

All we fans can do is watch, wonder, and wait to see what she does next. One thing we know for sure: the next chapter of the life of the “Ace Queen” won’t be dull.