Elena Rybakina, 23, became the first tennis player from Kazakhstan, and the youngest since 2011, to win the Grand Slam singles championship, defeating Ons Jabur in the Wimbledon final on Saturday. Rybakina was born in Moscow and has represented Kazakhstan since 2018 – when that country offered her money to support her tennis career.
The switch has been a topic of conversation during Wimbledon as the All England Club barred all players representing Russia or Belarus from entering the tournament due to the war in Ukraine.
This was the first women’s title match at the All England Club since 1962 between two players who were making their debuts in a major final. Rybakina is at number 23.
Since the WTA computer rankings began in 1975, only one woman ranked below Rybkina has won Wimbledon – Venus Williams at number 31 in 2007, although she had previously been number 1 and had three out of five of her career at the All England Club. Trophies had already been won. , Rybakina used her big serve and powerful forehand to beat Jabur’s mix of spin and slices on center court on Saturday.
Jabeur was on a 12-match winning streak and Rybakina ended it on Saturday.
(Inputs PTI)