Elena Rybakina became the latest seeded casualty at the ongoing Wimbledon championships, going down to Clara Tauson of Denmark in the third round of the grass major. The upset sent shockwaves through the tennis world, as many expected the former champion to cruise through the early rounds.
The result has been perceived as a significant shock by tennis fans, as Rybakina, a former champion at the All-England Club in 2022, is well known for her prowess on grass. The 26-year-old Kazakh looked out of sorts against Tauson, who played fearless tennis to secure her biggest career win.
The 22-year-old Tauson’s win over Rybakina caused a stir on social media, with fans wondering what made the Kazakh unravel on the biggest stage. Tauson’s victory represents a breakthrough that could launch her into the sport’s elite tier.
How Social Media Reacted to Clara Tauson’s Unexpected Victory Over Elena Rybakina
Social media was abuzz after Clara Tauson’s unexpected 7-6, 6-3 victory over the more fancied Elena Rybakina at the Wimbledon championships. The Danish player’s composed performance caught everyone’s attention, including tennis analysts who praised her mental toughness under pressure.
Classy. Composed. Clara. 🤩
Clara Tauson defeats 2022 Ladies’ Singles Champion Elena Rybakina 7-6(6), 6-3 to move into the fourth round ⚡️#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/lT5Fbm54I2
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2025
“Elena Rybakina is WASHED,” claimed a social media commenter. “She will never leave the one slam wonder asylum.”
Elena Rybakina is WASHED
She will never leave the one slam wonder asylum 😭😭😭 https://t.co/2nOfHSczCP— cinecamp (@backinpoland) July 5, 2025
Another commenter attributed the result to the Dane’s clutch tennis during the encounter. “Elena was just awful in this match and Clara was clutch AF,” the commenter posted on X. The sentiment reflected what many viewers witnessed: Rybakina struggling with her usually reliable serve while Tauson stepped up in crucial moments.
Elena was just awful in this match and Clara was clutch AF https://t.co/f6us6B3Pxp
— Kaiser@Celebitchy (@KaiseratCB) July 5, 2025
A sarcastic commenter wrote, “And Rybakina is GS winner. Terrible match from her.”
And Rybakina is GS winner. Terrible match from her https://t.co/3ughD8gnkY
— Jussi Pee 🇫🇮 🇺🇦 (@pitkanenjussi) July 5, 2025
“It’s been three years and I still can’t believe Ons Jabeur gave this lady a slam blessed be,” wrote another commenter, referencing Rybakina’s 2022 Wimbledon final victory over the Tunisian star.
It’s been 3 years and I still can’t believe Jabeur gave this lady a slam blessed be pic.twitter.com/LZZ4W3HRbR https://t.co/USBKiJBSJ0
— Lucas (@FlopMerchant) July 5, 2025
Another fan urged Rybakina to resolve her coaching issue. This season, the ongoing drama with her coaching situation has affected her preparation and on-court performance.
“Well, she needs to deal with that ongoing coach thing,” he wrote. “Vukov is not worth destroying a career and cutting off family for. He should’ve never been a coach tbh, has no credentials for it.”
The commenter was referring to Rybakina’s relationship with her coach, Stefano Vukov, who the WTA has banned following an investigation into a potential breach of its code of conduct. Rybakina has said she is “disappointed” with the WTA’s decision. The coaching controversy has created instability in her camp at a crucial time in her career.
Rybakina’s Inconsistent Run Since Breaking Through at Wimbledon 2022
Rybakina became the first player from Kazakhstan to win a Grand Slam title when she beat Ons Jabeur 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the Wimbledon women’s singles final in 2022. However, despite being tipped for greatness by experts, the 26-year-old has failed to replicate that form in the ensuing years. Many expected her breakthrough at the All-England Club to be the start of multiple major titles.
Rybakina’s struggles with form and consistency have continued well into 2025. In May, the Kazakh player ended a 13-month title drought by winning the Internationaux de Strasbourg tournament in France. While the victory provided some relief, it came at a lower-tier event rather than the big stages where she once thrived.
Despite her slump, Rybakina remains a significant threat on the grass. She reached the semifinals at last year’s Wimbledon, where she lost to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova. That run proved she still has the game to compete at the highest level, making today’s early exit all the more surprising.
For Tauson, the victory opens up new possibilities in her young career. The Danish player has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency. Beating a former Grand Slam champion on tennis’s biggest stage gives her the confidence boost she needs to break into the sport’s top tier. Her next match will test whether she can back up this breakthrough performance with another strong showing.