Elena Rybakina won the U.S. Open women’s singles tournament last week, defeating reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka in the final face-off. Now, the 27-year-old is ranked the number one female player in the world. But just 10 years ago, the Moscow-born Gen Zer was at a crossroads: go to college, or stay focused on her career as a tennis player. Even defying her father’s wishes for her to stay in education.
“I finished school and I had to decide if I should go to college,” the U.S. Open champion told the Women’s Tennis Association in 2020.
