Elena Rybakina has not been to Kazakhstan since April and the next time she will wear her country’s colours on her back will be in the Billie Jean King Cup in Glasgow in November. Though she still lives in Moscow, having switched her allegiance from Russia in 2018, her history-making victory in the Wimbledon final on Saturday will surely make her a household name in her adopted country. Moreover, her win against Ons Jabeur could also spark a surge of interest in tennis in Kazakhstan and inspire the next generation.
Being the centre of attention is not necessarily something with which Rybakina is comfortable. Her non-celebration, unless you count blowing out her cheeks, at the end of the final was absolutely on point for the 23‑year‑old, who would happily just merge into the background if she could. The extra media attention after winning her first grand slam title is something she will have to get used to and how she deals with it could go a long way to deciding how she performs in the coming months as she comes to terms with her achievement and what it means for her, and for Kazakhstan.
