Elena Rybakina captured the WTA Finals title in November, defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the championship match. The victory marked a significant breakthrough in what has been a complicated season for the Kazakhstani champion. As the year comes to a close, tennis experts and former champions are evaluating her potential. Former US Open Champion Andy Roddick recently shared his thoughts on what Rybakina can achieve in the coming year.
Andy Roddick’s Assessment After Elena Rybakina’s Dominant Performances
Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) to win the WTA Finals in Riyadh on November 8, 2025. The victory extended her winning streak to 11 matches and saw her complete a perfect tournament record of 5-0 while dropping only two sets throughout the event. She earned $5.235 million for the championship, the largest prize money payout in women’s sports history. The triumph also positioned her with a winning record against top-ranked opponents, improving her all-time record to 8-6 against World No. 1 players.
On his podcast, the 2003 US Open champion Roddick examined what makes Rybakina stand apart from her peers. Roddick likened her presence on court to that of an elite NBA prospect.
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“Elena Rybakina presents as someone who is like a No. 1 draft pick in the NBA,” Roddick explained on the “Served with Andy Roddick podcast. “There are good draft picks who are all stars, and then there are people who are drafted No. 1, and I’m not saying she is going to have the career of these people, but they look and feel different with what they are bringing.”
Roddick highlighted her physical advantages as key components of her game. “She’s 6’2. Her serve is huge,” he noted. When comparing her competitive level to other elite players on the tour, Roddick placed her at the top. “Like you look at Sabalenka, you look at Świątek, you look at Gauff. Rybakina is that person, in my opinion.”
Roddick added that he could not have a higher regard for her overall tennis abilities. “I couldn’t think more of her game,” the former champion stated.
Rybakina’s Momentum Positions Her for Major Success in 2026
Rybakina’s 2025 season demonstrated notable improvement across all measures. She concluded the year with a 59-19 match record, her best to date, while capturing three titles, including the WTA Finals crown alongside victories at Strasbourg and Ningbo. Her performance brought her career total to 11 titles overall. She finished the year ranked at No. 5 and led the entire tour with 516 total aces, showcasing the powerful serving that has become her trademark on court.
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The Kazakhstani player remains a Grand Slam champion, having won Wimbledon in 2022 against Ons Jabeur. At 26 years old, she sits well within her prime athletic years with considerable room for continued development. Roddick believes another major championship is imminent. “She finished the year strongly. Seems settled. I think she can win a Major next year, no doubt,” Roddick said. “She is in that upper tier as far as ability goes, pretty easily.”
Rybakina navigated a complicated 2025 with coaching adjustments and personal challenges, yet still delivered strong results heading into the offseason. Roddick sees her trajectory pointing upward. “She has a five next to her name. Barring missing months and months and months, she is going to be higher than that,” he predicted.
His assessment suggests that with continued focus, Rybakina has the tools to reach higher rankings and capture multiple major titles in her career moving forward.
