The first grand slam trophy for Kazakhstan and Elena Rybakina both came from Saturday’s women’s singles Wimbledon final victory.
After falling behind a set in the match, Rybakina defeated world No. 3 Ons Jabeur in three sets, triumphing 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
The 23-year-old, who was competing in her first grand slam final, got out to a sluggish start but eventually found her rhythm and powerful serve to defeat Jabeur.
Since Garbine Muguruza’s age of 21 in 2015, Rybakina, who was born in Russia but has been Kazakhstan’s representative since 2018, has been the youngest woman to reach the Wimbledon finals.
Rybakina, though, raised the Venus Rosewater Dish in celebration after winning Wimbledon for the first time and capping off an exciting match.
Relief was Rybakina’s initial feeling when she was interviewed in court later.
She told Sue Barker on Center Court, “I was really apprehensive before the match, during the match, and I’m glad it’s over.”
The first surprise occurred within a few games of the championship. Despite having only lost one set all tournament and one set in the semifinal, Jabeur broke the powerful Rybakina in the third game to take the lead.
Additionally, Rybakina’s hopes of winning the first set appeared to be on the verge of collapse in her subsequent service game, forcing her to save a number of break points. Despite this, Rybakina was able to hold off the spirited Jabeur.
After holding serve for a few games, Jabeur’s tough return game and great dexterity gave her three set points, which she took with joy to win the first set.
Rybakina started the second frame strongly despite being frazzled in the first set. She surprised everyone by breaking the vivacious Jabeur in her opening serve game behind her own accurate returns.
Elena Rybakina got off to a quick lead, but she nearly lost it shortly after. She had to withstand several break points before capturing the set by two games.
The next games were played with little interaction between the two stars, and the sun was shining in London the whole time.
Both players showed off skills that had blown away their opponents in earlier rounds, but they had to keep serving while their opponents had chances to break.
To take a commanding 4-1 lead in the second set, Rybakina broke Jabeur—who had seemed so steady in the first set—again.
She had trouble early on, but she got back on track and served with the deadly accuracy she’s known for when the set was on the line. She won the set easily to force a decider.
The tennis resumed at an all-out pace after a brief pause for water and to calm the tensions.
With the Tunisian being broken once more, Elena Rybakina established the early tempo. And in the closely contested final set, it was the Kazakhstani who kept becoming stronger, eventually winning her first grand slam victory with yet another forceful service game.
She became the youngest Wimbledon champion since 2011 in addition to becoming the first athlete from her nation to win a grand slam title.
Jabeur wanted to make history by being the first Arab or African player to win a grand slam trophy. Therefore, she also wanted to leave her mark on the annals of tennis.
