Just a few minutes ago, the family of Kazakhstan’s number one tennis player Elena Rybakina officially announced a huge loss: her grandmother – who was always a silent spiritual support and the greatest source of encouragement in her career journey – passed away forever. This was a heavy shock, especially when it happened right at one of the most important periods in Elena’s playing career.

The entire world tennis community is looking towards Elena with its deepest condolences. 🙏

A loss comes at a sensitive time

Elena Rybakina, currently one of the top female tennis players in the world with her powerful play, terrible serve and cold yet emotional style of play, is at her peak. She has just had impressive performances at major tournaments, with the ambition to conquer more Grand Slam titles after winning Wimbledon 2022 and continuously reaching the semi-finals and finals of other major tournaments.

However, Elena’s life off the court is always closely tied to her family. Born in 1999 in Moscow (Russia), Elena moved to represent Kazakhstan from 2018 to develop her professional career. Her parents – Andrey and Ekaterina Rybakina – sacrificed a lot to support their daughter in pursuing tennis from a young age.

But the people who are especially important in Elena’s heart are her grandparents, especially her grandmother – whom Elena often mentions as a source of inspiration and silent motivation.

In many interviews after big wins, Elena shared that her grandparents always followed her regardless of the time zone. After her recent victory at the Australian Open, she emotionally said: “My grandparents are my biggest supporters. No matter how late, they still stay up to watch me play. It’s amazing. I will definitely call them.”

Now, the news of her grandmother’s death has forced Elena to face the pain of personal loss at a time when her career is demanding her highest concentration. Tennis is a harsh sport: a dense schedule, constant travel between continents, pressure from scores, rankings and expectations from fans. In moments like these, tennis players often have to choose between continuing to compete or pausing to be with their families.

The journey of a strong girl from Moscow to the top of the WTA

Elena Rybakina is not a tennis player born into a “tennis family”. Her father used to play volleyball and was the first person to introduce her to the sport when Elena was young. Initially, Elena practiced both volleyball and tennis, but quickly showed special talent on the court. The family decided to invest fully in tennis – a decision that required huge financial and time sacrifices.

When moving to Kazakhstan, Elena faced a lot of criticism and pressure, but she proved her value through her achievements. With a height of 1m84, a serve speed that often exceeds 190 km/h, and a powerful forehand, Elena quickly became the obsession of many opponents. She won Wimbledon 2022 in a dramatic final against Ons Jabeur, becoming the first Kazakh player to win a Grand Slam.

Behind those titles is the unconditional support from her family, in which her grandmother is always the one to listen, encourage and remind Elena to maintain her health and stay calm under pressure. Many close people said that her grandmother was the one who helped Elena balance her personal life and harsh professional career.

This loss is not only a family pain, but also the loss of an important part of Elena’s spirit. In tennis, players often have to learn how to “compartmentalize” – separate personal emotions from the court. France’s Caroline Garcia experienced similar pain when her grandmother passed away just before the 2023 US Open and still played. Elena may also have to make a similarly difficult decision in the coming weeks.

Reaction from the tennis community and fans

As soon as the sad news was confirmed, social networks were filled with condolences for Elena. Many fellow tennis players sent words of encouragement:

Iga Swiatek, Elena’s big rival, wrote: “Elena, I’m so sorry for your loss. Stay strong.” Aryna Sabalenka shared a short but emotional sentence: “Family first. Thoughts with you, Elena.” Novak Djokovic – who has repeatedly emphasized the importance of family – also sent his condolences publicly.

Fans from all over the world, especially the Kazakh and Russian communities, expressed their sympathy. Many people recall the moments when Elena dedicated her victory to her family, or how she always maintained a humble attitude no matter how successful she was.

One fan wrote: “Elena always plays for her family. Now is the time her family needs her. No matter what she chooses, we still support her.”

Inner strength and lessons in resilience

Elena Rybakina is famous for her quiet personality and rarely shares her emotions publicly. She overcame injuries, changed coaches, and even controversies surrounding her change of nationality. The pain of losing her grandmother will certainly test her spirit once again.

However, tennis history has proven that many champions found strength from their losses. They turn pain into motivation, competing to honor their deceased loved ones. Elena, with the bravery she has honed over the years, could probably do the same thing.

Currently, there is no official information about whether Elena will withdraw from upcoming tournaments or not. Her family is together at this difficult time. Many sources said that Elena may temporarily pause her competition schedule to return to her family and take care of the funeral.

Message to Elena

Dear Elena,

During your brilliant tennis career, there have been many moments when you brought joy to millions of fans. Now, when your heart is broken, please give yourself permission to grieve, to be vulnerable, and to be with your loved ones.

Your grandmother must have been very proud of her strong, talented and kind-hearted granddaughter. The legacy she leaves behind is not only beautiful memories but also the inner strength that you carry every time you step onto the field.

The global tennis community is with you. We not only admire aces and great wins, but also respect Elena Rybakina as a person – a daughter and grandchild who knows how to appreciate her family.

Rest, heal, and when you’re ready to return, we’ll still be here cheering you on like always.

You are not alone.

💔🙏

This sad news reminds us all that, even though we are the brightest stars on the field, we humans are still fragile in the face of life’s losses. Professional success is important, but family and loved ones are the most valuable things.

Elena Rybakina – a resilient tennis player and a filial niece – will definitely overcome this difficult period and come back stronger than ever.

May Elena’s grandmother rest in peace.