Andy Roddick compares Elena Rybakina to "a No. 1 choose within the NBA draft," and believes the Kazakh has excessive probabilities of profitable a Grand Slam in 2026.
Since sensationally profitable 2022 Wimbledon as a participant ranked outdoors the top-20, the 26-year-old has all the time been proper on the high and contending for the largest titles.
Nonetheless, whereas Rybakina has achieved some very notable issues since – like profitable the 2025 WTA Finals and reaching the 2023 Australian Open ultimate – she stays at one Grand Slam title in her assortment.
In late 2025, Rybakina arguably appeared like the most effective participant within the recreation. After profitable the WTA 500 event in Ningbo, the world No. 5 additionally reached the Tokyo semifinal earlier than giving a walkover. Then, the previous world No. 3 completely dominated in Riyadh, going 5-of-5 en path to wnning the WTA Finals. She received her final 11 matches performed of the 2025 season.
“Elena Rybakina presents as somebody who is sort of a No. 1 draft choose within the NBA. There are good draft picks who’re all stars, after which there are people who find themselves drafted No. 1, and I’m not saying she goes to have the profession of those individuals, however they feel and appear completely different with what they’re bringing," the 2003 US Open champion stated on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
Roddick: Rybakina appears settled… She will be able to positively win a Grand Slam in 2026
If the 26-year-old Kazakh stays wholesome in 2026, Roddick thinks she will be able to completely do some nice issues.
“She completed the 12 months strongly. Appears settled. I believe she will be able to win a Main subsequent 12 months, little doubt. She is in that higher tier so far as means goes, fairly simply, I believe. I couldn’t suppose extra of her recreation, so we’ll see what 2026 brings. However she has a 5 subsequent to her identify. Barring lacking months and months and months, and I really feel that’s the caveat we do with the whole lot, she goes to be greater than that," Roddick defined.
Rybakina will kick off her 2026 season on the Brisbane Worldwide, the place she received the title in 2024.
Rybakina shouldn't lack any confidence firstly of 2026 and he or she is extensively regarded among the many high favorites for the Australian Open title.
