Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina is leading in 2024 tennis titles – three so far – after a comfortable victory over Marta Kostyuk in the Stuttgart final on Sunday.
Rybakina, who has also won titles in Brisbane and Abu Dhabi this year, has now won a tour-leading 26 matches this season. That’s one more than world No. 1, Iga Swiatek of Poland.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Rybakina on his Instagram page. “The first racket of Kazakhstan has won three titles this season. This is a great success,” Tokayev said. “I wish our Elena new sporting achievements.”
Rybakina, 24, was born in Moscow and secured citizenship in Kazakhstan in 2017 after the tennis federation there offered generous support for her career. Rybakina won Wimbledon in 2022 and was runner-up at the Australian Open last year.
Ranked No. 4 in the world, Rybakina was in command throughout her 6-2, 6-2 win over No. 27, Kostyuk of Ukraine.
“I always believe in myself, of course, but it not only depends on me,” Rybakina said. “There are a lot of great players, tough opponents. But I know if I feel fresh, if I’m physically ready, healthy, I’m playing my game, of course I have all the chances to win a Grand Slam on any surface.”
