Elena Rybakina has enjoyed an outstanding start to the 2026 season, and is being backed by some to dominate in the coming months.
After all, not only has she started to find the consistency needed to challenge for elite honours, but the way in which she swats aside fellow top-ten players is frightening.
She is now on a nine-game win streak against the WTA’s elite, leading some to suggest that she is the very best player on the entire tour.
Well, Tennishead fans have now had their say.
Tennis fans debate whether Elena Rybakina is now the best player on the WTA Tour
Whilst it was not overwhelming, it did seem like there was a general consensus on this debate.
After all, the majority appreciated Elena Rybakina’s talents and potential to be the best, but felt she lacked the necessary consistency over an entire year to prove it to them.
One fan summed the feelings of many up well, writing: “She has the game to be number one; she just needs to be more consistent at certain times.
Who wins more Grand Slams in their career – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
“More percentage play rather than try and hit the lines every time, but the big serve out wide and the follow-up with the big forehand and backhand is a joy to watch.”
Another echoed that sentiment: “Undoubtedly. If she keeps fit, she has the ability and the motivation to win everything. Indeed, at her best, she is unstoppable with IMMENSE power, a breathtaking serve and consistent depth of groundstrokes and service returns equal to anyone. She currently and possibly for the next 3 years or so has no apparent rival.”
| Opponent | Ranking | Event |
| Aryna Sabalenka | 1 | Australian Open |
| Jessica Pegula | 6 | Australian Open |
| Iga Swiatek | 2 | Australian Open |
| Aryna Sabalenka | 1 | WTA Finals |
| Jessica Pegula | 5 | WTA Finals |
| Ekaterina Alexandrova | 10 | WTA Finals |
| Iga Swiatek | 2 | WTA Finals |
| Amanda Anisimova | 4 | WTA Finals |
| Ekaterina Alexandrova | 10 | Ningbo Open |
| Jasmine Paolini | 8 | Ningbo Open |
However, there were accusations of laziness within the comments, with another commenter predicting another unpredictable year on the WTA Tour: “There will be four different women winning the Slams this year. Good start by Elena, however. She has a big game & good temperament, so that’s a plus, especially over players like Sabalenka, Gauff, etc.”
Elsewhere, tennis fans said if they thought Carlos Alcaraz was already the greatest player of all time.
Elena Rybakina’s last few months prove she is one of the best
Whilst our tennis fans might not be convinced that she is the outright best player on tour, Rybakina’s past few months have certainly made a strong case for her inclusion in the conversation.
After all, since she won the Ningbo Open title in October, the 26-year-old has been on a crusade of fine form, toppling the world’s best whenever given the opportunity.
Who is your money on?
The way in which she surged to the WTA Finals title was so impressive, and backing that up with an Australian Open title suggests she has translated that form into 2026.
Should Rybakina now perform in Qatar, these opinions might start to turn.
Who do our tennis experts think is the best player on the WTA Tour?
It was not just fans taking to the comments, with many of our tennis experts offering their opinions.
Peter Lynch argued: “I think so… so many top talents, but WTA Finals champ to Aus Open champ, with so many top 10 wins along the way, speaks volumes.”
Meanwhile, Liam McMillen concurred with the inconsistency argument: “Yeah, it’s the consistency. She often turns up for the bigger tournaments; it’s the WTA 500 events where she struggles.”
Max Kilham rounded off the expert opinions with his staunch stance: “No way – when every player is at their top level, Swiatek is far and away the best player.”
