The 23-year-old, appearing in her first grand slam final, started slowly but gradually found her rhythm and powerful serve to overcome Jabeur. Rybakina, who was born in Russia but has represented Kazakhstan since 2018, was the youngest women’s finalist at Wimbledon since 2015, when Garbine Muguruza was 21. But at the end of a thrilling encounter, Rybakina lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish as she was crowned Wimbledon champion for the first time. In her court interview afterward, Rybakina’s first emotion was relief. “I was very nervous before the match, during the match and I’m glad it’s over,” she told Sue Barker on Center Court. “I’ve really never felt anything like this. I want to thank the audience for the support, it’s been incredible these two weeks. “But I also want to congratulate Ons for a great match and everything you’ve achieved. I think you’re an inspiration to everyone. You’ve got an amazing game. We don’t have someone like him on tour and it’s a pleasure to play against you. I ran so hard, didn’t I think I need to exercise now. Rybakina added: “It’s true, I didn’t expect to be in the second week of a Grand Slam at Wimbledon. To be the winner is just amazing. I have no words to say how happy I am.” “But I wouldn’t be here without my team of course, so I want to say a big thank you to them. I want to thank my coach, my sponsors, everyone. The most important thing is my parents of course, they’re not here, so I’m so sorry. My sister is here and it’s only the third time she’s come to the tour to watch, so I’m glad she’s here. Without my parents I definitely wouldn’t be here. Thank you all so very much.”
First steps
It only took a few games of the final for the first shock. The big-serving Rybakina, who had dropped just one set in the entire tournament before the final, was broken by Jabeur in the third game to take an early lead. And in Rybakina’s next service game, she was forced to save several break points as her first-set chances looked to be sharp, but she managed to fend off the energetic Jabeur. A few games later, having held serve, Jabeur’s hard-hitting return game and mastery broke open three set points to give her a chance to take the first set. he gladly took them with both hands. However, despite looking rattled in the opening set, Rybakina started the second frame strongly. Behind her own accurate returns, she broke the spirited Jabeur on her opening serve, shocking everyone watching. Taking an early lead, Rybakina nearly relinquished her advantage soon after, needing to fend off several break points before eventually taking a two-game lead in the set. And, under blue London skies and bright sunshine, the next few games went by with very little between the two stars. Both had to fend off break point opportunities from their opponent to hold serve as they showed the skills that had overcome their opponents in previous rounds. But Rybakina once again broke Jabeur — who looked so solid in the first set — in the second set to take a commanding 4-1 lead. And with the set on the line, she rediscovered her usually devastating serving skills, having struggled early on, emphatically clinching the set to send it to a deciding set. After a short break for water and to calm the nerves, the tennis continued at a fever pitch. Rybakina once again broke the Tunisian to set the pace early on, with the pair trading blows. And in a tight final set, it was Kazakhstan who just went from strength to strength, eventually claiming her first grand slam title with another emphatic serve. Not only did she become the first player from her country to win a grand slam title, but she also became the youngest Wimbledon champion since 2011. For Jabeur, she was also trying to etch her name into the history books by becoming the first Arab or African player to reach a grand slam title. When asked about inspiring young players back home, he joked that “Elena stole my title but that’s okay!”. “I really like this tournament and I feel very sad, but I’m trying to inspire many generations from my country. I hope they listen to me.”
