Moscow-born Elena Rybakina became Kazakhstan’s first Wimbledon winner today despite banning Russian athletes.
The 23-year-old tennis star, still living in the Russian capital, managed to avoid disqualification by changing alliances and faced our Tunisian Jabeur in the final on the Central Court on Saturday.
Rybakina survived a slump to deny part of Jabeur’s history with a 3-6 6-2 6-2 win over Tunisia world number 2 in Saturday’s All England Club showdown.
Rybakina, 23, became the youngest Wimbledon women’s champion since Petra Kvitova in 2011, after disappointing Jabeur with a one hour and 48 minute title decision.
His semi-finals victory was applauded by the Russian media: “A star born in Russia is making it to the Wimbledon final,” he chanted on the front page of the Russia Today website.
But Rybakina, who decided to represent Kazakhstan in tournaments four years ago, seems fed up with all the questions about Russia.
After the semi-final victory against Aleppo, he said: “I’ve been playing for Kazakhstan for a long time. I am very happy to represent Kazakhstan,” he said.
Moscow-born, 23-year-old Elena Rybakina was able to qualify for this year’s Wimbledon Championships after she changed her loyalty to represent Kazakhstan in 2018.
Despite being widely seen as the underdog of the league, he won 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in two spectacular sets. The trophy was presented to her by Kate Middleton.
childhood love! The star, who appears to be a dog lover, posted photos of her pampering the puppies on her Instagram.
“They believed me. No more questions about how I feel. That was my journey as a Kazakh player for a long time.
Born in Moscow in 1999, Rybakina played sports from an early age, participated in various sports with her sister.
Its foundations are widespread and it moves with a grace that comes from children’s activities.
She was a gymnast and figure skater as a 23-year-old, but was said to be too tall to have a future in either sport.
Rybakina (pictured in Dubai) posted photos of herself around the world while traveling for training and touring
Elena is shy about her personal life, but is occasionally seen at the theater and participates in other activities while off the track.
So he turned his hand to tennis, his father’s favorite sport.
He first picked up a racket at the age of six and showed a natural talent for the sport.
At the age of 15, he played his first match on the International Tennis Federation circuit in Turkey and turned professional two years later.
Rybakina’s first Grand Slam at the age of 20 saw her crash in the first round of the French Open. But ever since, she has continued to shine, she.
She was a gymnast and figure skater as a 23-year-old, but was said to be too tall to have a future in either sport.
Rybakina is quite cautious off the pitch, but shares some of her personal life and behind the scenes of the tour.
The 23-year-old, apparently a dog lover, visited a kennel last November to meet some puppies.
The rising star also posts photos of her posing near world landmarks such as the London Eye and the Eiffel Tower in places she has visited on her tour.
Despite being a timid and humble actress, she faced controversy during the competition this year.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, Russian tennis players were not allowed to participate in this year’s Wimbledon Championships.
But the 23-year-old has been representing Kazakhstan since 2018 and is proud of his legacy.
In an Instagram post last September, Rybakina smiled while raising the Kazakhstan flag.
He wrote: “The first WTA 250 tournament in Kazakhstan will take place in a few weeks!
‘I am very happy with this event and I want to thank you very much’ [to the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation]†
He added that hosting the tournament is a great opportunity for “the development of tennis in the country.”
World Number 23 did not reveal how long he spent in Moscow in response to questions from Thursday’s press conference.
But he said he mainly trains for tournaments in Slovakia and Dubai.
“Honestly, I don’t live anywhere,” he said.
He has since tried to answer difficult questions about whether he considers himself Russian or Kazakh.
Before the final, he said, “It’s a difficult question to say how I feel.
“I was born in Russia, but I am very happy to represent Kazakhstan. They were looking for an actor and I was looking for help.
“I feel the support of the people for bringing very positive results for sports in Kazakhstan”.
Rybakina admitted that she felt sorry for the Russians who were not allowed to participate in Wimbledon.
But when he voiced his thoughts on the country’s invasion of Ukraine, he said, “I just want the war to end as soon as possible.”
He is also Kazakhstan’s first finalist in a Grand Slam tournament.
But the Moscow star’s victory was not without controversy when tennis star John McEnroe questioned his involvement after the All England Club banned Russian and Belarusian players over Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine.
“He’s clearly a great kicker and hits the ball big,” McEnroe said in the BBC commentary.
Elena from Kazakhstan celebrates the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Jabeur from Tunisia
Kate handed the Venus Rosewater Plate to Elena at Center Court this afternoon and exchanged a few words with the actress.
The Duchess presented the trophy to Elana this afternoon after a thrilling game at Center Court.
“I think it’s weird because of all this. I don’t want to get into politics here, but he’s Russian, isn’t he?
“It’s kind of weird not letting the Russians play for this whole test.”
Russian men’s world number 1 Daniil Medvedev failed to compete, while Rybakina beat the women’s title for only two sets of franchises.
Rybakina also lost the opening set to Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the quarter-finals.
But the seventeenth battery crushed defeated opponents, including Grand Slam champion Bianca Andreescu and 2019 Wimbledon winner Simona Halep, with deadly serve and fearless power play.
Jabeur had offered to become the first African woman to win Wimbledon in 55 years of the Open, and the first Arab to win a single Grand Slam title.
But the 27-year-old has only had to convert two of his 11 breaking point chances at London’s SW19 looking fiery and uncomfortable.
Source: Daily Mail
