Elena Rybakina hasn’t been getting much respect and recognition since her Wimbledon triumph and now she is scheduled to kick off her Australian Open run on one of the outside courts.
Rybakina, 23, is six months removed from winning the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world but hard to say that anything has changed in her treatment since her victory at The All England Club.
In her first Grand Slam tournament after winning Wimbledon, Rybakina was scheduled to play her US Open first-round match on Court 12 – many were stunned by the US Open’s scheduling as Rybakina ended up suffering a shock defeat to Clara Burel.
Now, Rybakina is scheduled to play her Australian Open first-round match against Elisabetta Cocciaretto on Court 13.
Ben Rothenberg, one of the most well-known tennis journalists, is one of many who are absolutely stunned by the lack of recognition and respect Rybakina has been getting.
“Reigning Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina got relegated all the way out to the hinterland of Court 13 for her first #AusOpen match. I understand there is a saturation of recent women’s Slam champs, to an extent, but has a reigning Wimbledon champ ever been so quickly disregarded?” Rothenberg tweeted.
Reigning Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina got relegated all the way out to the hinterland of Court 13 for her first #AusOpen match.
I understand there is a saturation of recent women’s Slam champs, to an extent, but has a reigning Wimbledon champ ever been so quickly disregarded?
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 14, 2023
Rybakina deserves more respect and recognition
Rybakina was ranked just outside the top-20 when she started her Wimbledon run.
But after winning Wimbledon, Rybakina didn’t make a strong ranking jump after the WTA decided to remove ranking points from Wimbledon.
Had Rybakina been given her 2000 ranking points for Wimbledon, she would have climbed up to a career-high ranking of No 6 in the world and would have probably now been ranked inside the top-10.
But, Rybakina is now ranked at No 23 and not really getting a star treatment on the biggest stage.
Throughout tennis history, Wimbledon has always been regarded as the biggest and most prestigious tennis tournament.
Rybakina, who turned 23 just before Wimbledon, accomplished her dream of winning Wimbledon but somehow it hasn’t changed the way she is viewed and treated.
On and off the court, Rybakina is a very quiet type of person and there is no drama or controversy surrounding her.
It is unfortunate to see Rybakina – who is a Grand Slam champion and evidently a very good role model for kids – not receiving the respect and recognition she has definitely earned and deserved.
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