WIMBLEDON, England — The return sailed wide, and it was over. Game, set, match. Elena Rybakina had won the Wimbledon women’s singles title, the youngest champion in more than a decade.
Her matter-of-fact expression didn’t change. She dabbed her face with her wristband, shook the hand of vanquished Ons Jabeur, briefly patted her racket as if applauding, and raised her hand in thanks to the crowd at Centre Court. She had won 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Ho hum. It all appeared so routine.
It wasn’t, of course. Rybakina, 23, later conceded she didn’t expect to make it out of the first week of the Wimbledon fortnight. She began the tournament as a 100-to-1 shot. The shy 6-footer who lives in Moscow but four years ago became a citizen of Kazakhstan — a wildly fortunate decision — is known for keeping her emotions in check. Yet they were percolating inside.
