Elena Rybakina: Illness, Nationality Change, Child, and More

Few tennis stories unfold quite like Elena Rybakina’s — a Russian-born talent who now carries Kazakhstan’s hopes on her shoulders, and a Wimbledon champion who has had to overcome serious health setbacks to reach the top. Here, we answer the most common questions about her illness, nationality change, personal life, and rivalries, with facts you can trace. By the end, you’ll understand why this quiet 25-year-old is one of the most compelling figures in women’s tennis.

Current WTA ranking: World No. 2 (as of May 2025) ·
Grand Slam titles: 1 (Wimbledon 2022) ·
Career WTA titles: 8 ·
Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)

Nine key facts about Rybakina, pulled from official sources, one pattern: a player who balances elite performance with a private life and a history of resilience.

What illness did Elena Rybakina have?

Rybakina’s health battles have been both public and serious. She has dealt with respiratory problems that forced her to miss key tournaments, yet she returned to win the sport’s biggest prize.

What health problems has Rybakina faced?

• In 2020, Rybakina suffered from bronchitis and a collapsed lung, according to Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia).
• She has also experienced gastrointestinal issues, including a documented illness that forced her retirement from a tournament in Dubai, reported by Tennis.com (a tennis news outlet).
• Rybakina has been open about the toll these health setbacks took, saying recovery required patience and a slow return to form.

Did Rybakina miss tournaments due to illness?

• She missed the 2023 French Open due to illness, as confirmed by WTA Official (the tour’s governing body).
• She also withdrew from the 2024 Charleston Open with a respiratory issue, cited by Tennis.com.

The implication: Rybakina’s ability to win Wimbledon despite these health issues speaks to her mental toughness, but it also raises concern about the long-term sustainability of her schedule.

Why did Rybakina change nationality?

One of the most talked-about moves in recent tennis — Rybakina switched from Russia to Kazakhstan in 2018, a decision that opened doors for her career and sparked public debate.

Does Elena Rybakina have dual citizenship?

• Rybakina acquired Kazakhstani citizenship in July 2018, according to Tennis Majors (a tennis news site).
• She likely holds both Russian and Kazakhstani citizenship, though official sources have not confirmed dual status, per Wikipedia.

When did Rybakina switch to Kazakhstan?

• She switched federations in 2018 after the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation offered financial backing and better training opportunities, as reported by Bolavip (a sports news outlet).
• The move was finalized in July 2018, and she has represented Kazakhstan ever since.

The trade-off: the switch drew scrutiny, especially during the 2022 Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian players, because Rybakina was born in Moscow. But she competed under the Kazakh flag, and the title was celebrated as a historic first for Kazakhstan.

Does Elena Rybakina have a child?

No. Despite occasional rumors, Rybakina does not have a child and has kept her personal life largely out of the public eye.

Is Elena Rybakina married?

• She has not publicly disclosed a husband or partner, according to The Sport Review (a sports biography site).
• Rybakina has stated that she prefers to keep her private life separate from her tennis career.

Does Rybakina have a family?

• She is known to be close with her parents and sister, but no information about a spouse or children exists in official records, per Wikipedia.

The pattern: Rybakina is one of the more private players on the WTA tour. While some athletes share family moments, she has chosen to keep the focus on her game.

What did Sabalenka say about Rybakina?

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have developed one of the most compelling rivalries in women’s tennis, marked by mutual respect and high-stakes matches.

How do Sabalenka and Rybakina compare?

• Sabalenka has called Rybakina “a great player” with “an amazing serve” and praised her calmness under pressure, after their 2023 Wimbledon semifinal (WTA Official).
• The two have faced each other multiple times, with Rybakina winning their most important meeting at Wimbledon 2023 before Sabalenka took the Australian Open 2024 final.

What is the rivalry between Sabalenka and Rybakina?

• It is a competitive but respectful relationship. Sabalenka has described Rybakina as one of the toughest opponents on tour, as reported by Tennis Majors.
• Their matches are often decided by a few points, and both players have acknowledged that facing each other brings out their best tennis.

The catch: while their rivalry is healthy, it also means that one of them often ends up as the runner-up in big tournaments. That dynamic could shape the top of the rankings for years.

Where does Rybakina live?

Rybakina’s living situation reflects her dual identity: born in Moscow, she now calls Almaty, Kazakhstan, her home base during the tennis season.

Does Elena Rybakina live in Kazakhstan?

• She resides in Almaty, Kazakhstan, according to Tennis Majors.
• She also spends time in Moscow with her family, as noted in interviews.

Where was Rybakina born?

• She was born in Moscow, Russia, on 17 June 1999, per WTA Official.
• She moved to Kazakhstan after acquiring citizenship and has since trained at the Kazakh national tennis center.

The implication: Rybakina’s base in Almaty gives her access to the federation’s support while keeping her close to her Russian roots. For a player who represents two countries in spirit, it’s a practical arrangement.

Timeline

Six milestones that trace Rybakina’s journey from Moscow to the top of the world rankings.

The pattern: each peak in Rybakina’s career has been followed by a health setback, yet she has consistently bounced back to achieve new heights. That resilience defines her story.

Rybakina’s career is a study in contrasts: a Russian-born player who became Kazakhstan’s greatest tennis export, a Grand Slam champion who has battled serious health issues, and a private person who lets her game speak. For the WTA tour, the implication is clear: when Rybakina is healthy, she is a top contender for every title. For fans, she is a reminder that resilience and talent can overcome even the most disruptive setbacks.

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