Elena Rybakina was not to be denied on Sunday at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. The World No. 2 lifted the trophy for the second time in two years and subsequently bagged her second Porsche car at the tournament.
Rybakina defeated Karolína Muchová 7-5, 6-1 in the title clash, not offering her opponent too many chances.
Karolína Muchová Teases Elena Rybakina After Losing Out on Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet
Rybakina’s campaign was clouded with rumors about her potential absence. She didn’t show up at the venue until the day of the main draw, raising concerns among fans. Her victory has more than made up for the initial scare.
The 26-year-old started her journey with a 6-3, 6-4 win against Diana Shnaider. She then survived a tough quarterfinal contest against Leylah Fernandez, saving two match points to win 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(6). In the semifinal, she beat Mirra Andreeva with ease and replicated the scoreline against Muchová to exact revenge for her Brisbane defeat earlier this year.
During her runner-up speech, the reigning Doha champion teased Rybakina for denying her a Porsche, considering she had already won a Porsche Taycan 4S Sport Turismo as the champion in 2024.
This time, the Kazakhstani star bagged a Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet priced upwards of $170,100, and unlike last time, she now has the license to ride it. “Honestly, too good,” Muchová said. “You played really well as well to your team, congratulations.”
“I tried to stop you, but you clearly wanted a Porsche for the second time really bad, so made it very tough for me, congrats,” she joked. “I had fun this week in Stuttgart, me and my team.”
Karolina Muchova after losing to Rybakina in Stuttgart final
“I wanna start with Elena. Honestly too good. You played really well, as well to your team. I tried to stop you, but you clearly wanted the Porsche for the 2nd time really bad.”
😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/PAdVxzvFkH
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 19, 2026
Rybakina responded in kind to the Czech star’s congratulatory message. “First I want to congratulate Karolína. (What a) great week. I know it’s tough to lose in the finals, but I hope we play many more together, and congrats to your team (on the) great week.”
MORE: Elena Rybakina, Karolína Muchová Prize Money and Car After Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2026 Final
Muchová secured wins against Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Elise Mertens, Coco Gauff, and Elina Svitolina en route to the final. In their speeches, both players thanked the organizers for their hospitality.
“It’s an amazing tournament. We love coming back here and really enjoying our time. It really feels like home, and you just want to come back every year,” Rybakina said.
“I want to say a big thanks to my team. Without you guys, it won’t be possible. Thank you for always pushing me to do better and improve every day,” she added.
Rybakina showing the world exactly why she aced her driver’s license exam pic.twitter.com/q4RwRV9uxI
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 19, 2026
Following her title run in Stuttgart, Elena Rybakina has leapfrogged Aryna Sabalenka in the live race to the 2026 finals. She has earned 3,983 points this year, while the latter has 3,800 points to her name.
In the live rankings, meanwhile, Sabalenka has 10,895 points while Rybakina has 8,500. She enters the WTA Madrid Open as the second seed to chase her third title of the season after the Australian Open and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
