Elena Rybakina’s recent form has been spotty to say the least.
The Kazakhstani star, ranked second on the WTA Tour, has suffered multiple early exits at major WTA events over the past two months.
Rybakina’s uncertain form began in Paris, where she lost in the second round to unseeded Yuliia Starodubtseva; hitting over 70 unforced errors en route to defeat.
Will Elena Rybakina win another Grand Slam this year? 💭
Her form failed to improve thereafter, as she endured losses to Katie Boulter and Alexandra Eala across the Queen’s Club Championships and Berlin Open.
Rybakina’s woes were compounded with defeat to Elise Mertens in the Wimbledon third round.
Despite her patchy form, Rybakina now has the opportunity to achieve tennis history.
Elena Rybakina has a great chance to become world number one for the first time
Rybakina is not the only top-level player who has demonstrated questionable form in recent months.
Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, has also failed to impress at recent WTA events.
The Belarusian inexplicably imploded at Roland Garros and the Berlin Open – losing to Diana Shnaider and Jessica Pegula, respectively – before exiting Wimbledon at the fourth round stage.
Sabalenka’s recent performances have now left the door ajar for Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina is currently on 8,143 WTA points and has 1,125 points to defend across the North American hard-court swing.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka is only 407 points ahead of Rybakina and has 2,125 points to defend over the same period.
| Ranking | Player | Points |
| 1 | Aryna Sabalenka | 8,550 |
| 2 | Elena Rybakina | 8,143 |
| 3 | Jessica Pegula | 6,301 |
| 4 | Coco Gauff | 5,649 |
| 5 | Mirra Andreeva | 5,293 |
Sabalenka earned these points by reaching the 2025 Cincinnati Open quarter-finals and winning the US Open.
With Sabalenka in poor form heading into this year’s North American swing, Rybakina may not get a better opportunity to join the WTA world number one club.
Will Elena Rybakina skip the Washington Open?
Rybakina is currently not on the entry list for the Washington Open – a tournament that begins on July 27.
If the Kazakhstani player does not compete in the American capital, she will lose 195 WTA ranking points, damaging her chances of achieving the world number one ranking.
Rybakina earned these points by reaching the semi-finals of last year’s event.
She defeated Victoria Mboko and Magdalena Frech before losing to eventual champion Leylah Fernandez.
“‘Hard work’ and ‘fight’ have been the pillars, my tennis journey, my dad and I and our family on everyday life,” Fernandez told reporters in Washington after beating Rybakina 6-7, 7-6, 7-6.
