Elena Rybakina warned about ‘big test’ on WTA Finals return by former No 1
Elena Rybakina faces a “big test” at the WTA Finals following a lengthy period off court and a contentious coaching split, according to former doubles world No 1 Rennae Stubbs.
Rybakina has not played since winning her round one match at the US Open in late August, withdrawing from her second round match with a lower back injury.
The Kazakh then withdrew from the Asian swing due to her injury and has missed almost a dozen events in 2024 due to illness or physical issues.
The world No 5 has also been the subject of speculation concerning ex-coach Stefano Vukov, who she split with just days before action at the final major of the year.
Despite her recent setbacks, Rybakina is looking to end her season in a high at the WTA Finals, having qualified for the year-end championships for a second straight year.
However, question marks understandably remain over the 25-year-old and what impact she could be able to make at the tournament.
Speaking on the Rennae Stubbs Podcast, the Australian – a five-time major winner – highlighted Rybakina’s indoor credentials, but claimed “we don’t know” what level the Kazakh could bring to court.
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“I don’t know how Elena is going to do,” said Stubbs.
“This is going to be a very big test for her. Who is going to be coaching her? Who was she there with? We’ll find out in a matter of days, but it will be interesting.
“Look, she plays really good tennis indoors. Striking is good, but we don’t know how she’s going to be, fitness-wise, match-wise.”
Rybakina has been handed a tough group in Riyadh, highlighted by world No 1 and title favourite Aryna Sabalenka.
The Kazakh trails 6-3 in their head-to-head and lost their last meeting back at the Madrid Open, though did thrash Sabalenka in the Brisbane International final back in January.
She will also face Jasmine Paolini, who she lost to in the quarter-final of the French Open, and Zheng Qinwen – one of the form players of the second half of the season.
Rybakina will hope to better her 2023 display at the year-end championships, where she failed to make it out of the group stages.
Despite a disrupted season, the 25-year-old has still been able to win titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart, alongside reaching finals in Doha and Miami and making the last four of Wimbledon.
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