Elena Rybakina captured her second Grand Slam title after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s Australian Open final.
Rybakina, the fifth seed in Melbourne, rallied from 0-3 down in the final set to defeat Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
The Kazakhstani star added to her 2022 Wimbledon title and is now set to achieve a career-high ranking of world number three.
Following the contest, Coco Gauff’s former coach made a major prediction regarding the remainder of Elena Rybakina’s 2026 campaign.
Is Rybakina the best player on the WTA Tour right now?
If not, who is better?
Brad Gilbert tips Elena Rybakina to become world number one in 2026
Brad Gilbert, a legendary coaching figure who worked with Andy Murray and Andre Agassi, has weighed in on Elena Rybakina’s prospects following her triumph in Melbourne.
On X, Gilbert said: “I think now, you know that’s here 10th consecutive win versus top 10 players. We’ve had the same top three players finish in the top three of the rankings in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
“If Rybakina can stay healthy – availability has obviously been a big issue for her – but if she can stay healthy the whole year, and obviously she’s in a different place mentally than where she was in 2025 when her coach was suspended.
“I think she has a real shot to win another major in 2026 and for sure finish in the top three. And I think at some point this year, she’s got a good shot to be number one in the world. That’s how much talent she has, and I like her demeanour.”
World number one is certainly an achievable goal heading into the rest of 2026. By defeating Sabalenka, Rybakina has proven she can challenge the very best and will likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
Rybakina, who was congratulated by the Kazakhstani President after the contest, revealed whether she wants to become world number one during her post-match press conference.
Is Rybakina a contender for the French Open title?
The simple answer is yes.
While Rybakina is certainly stronger on hard courts, she is no slouch when it comes to performing on the red dirt.
Rybakina has twice made the French Open quarter-finals: in 2021 and 2024. Last year, the Kazakh star reached the fourth round before losing to Iga Swiatek.
Who wins more Grand Slams in their career – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
Against Swiatek, Rybakina won the first set 6-1, before losing the next two 3-6, 5-7.
