‘Strange Thing That She Hasn’t Done Better’- 66-Year-Old Martina Navratilova Puzzled over WTA Champion’s Form Heading into the US Open

In the Czech Republic, tennis legend Martina Navratilova is enjoying a warmer climate as intense Hologic WTA Tour play takes place during the heat of the US Open Series in Montreal. However, that hasn’t stopped Navratilova from keeping up with the sport. In fact, she has more than a few thoughts and projections ready for the end of the 2023 season, most notably featuring the Kazakh sensation, Elena Rybakina.

With a significant number of top players participating in the Canadian Open, the anticipation for the upcoming U.S. Open Grand Slam is palpable. As the back-to-back WTA 1000 tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati build towards the year-ending major, Navratilova has taken time to give her thoughts on some players.

Martina Navratilova’s unique perspective on Elena Rybakina

In an interview, Navratilova broke down the stronger players of the WTA for the upcoming US Open and the road leading up to it. She opened up about French Open 2023 winner Iga Swiatek, Australian Open 2023 winner Aryna Sabalenka, but it was the statement on 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina that really caught everyone’s attention.

“It’s a strange thing that she hasn’t done better by now on the hard courts,” Navratilova remarked thoughtfully. Even though sliding isn’t needed on hard courts, players who can do it still have an edge. While it’s not Rybakina’s strongest skill as per Navratilova, her reliable serving and groundstrokes should ideally lead to more success. Navratilova remains hopeful, saying, “So we’ll see if she brings the goods – she certainly has the goods,” as reported by WTA.

Rybakina’s performance on the hard court has been particularly notable this year with a win-loss ratio of 21-6, which has remarkably improved since last year’s 19-13. One of her major achievements on hard court this year has been the Indian Wells 2023 title.

This wasn’t the first time Navratilova has added to the narrative on the Kazakh sensation. Earlier this year, Navratilova commented on Rybakina’s unexpected victory at the Italian Open. Despite her reputation as a formidable player, Rybakina’s victory was not that surprising for Navratilova. While Navratilova did compliment Rybakina on her victory, she also added that since Rybakina is already very familiar with clay as she grew up playing on the surface, her win is not as surprising. Navratilova commented, “Her winning in Rome, it’s pretty big… I’m not surprised by it,” as reported by Tennis Up to Date.

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Rybakina’s hard court challenge

Known for her skills on grass and clay, Rybakina has a chance to showcase her versatility by attempting to win on the hard courts at the US Open. Navratilova’s words are both encouraging and challenging for the Kazakh athlete, underscoring the power of her game.

Amidst the buzz of the US Open Series, Elena Rybakina’s journey continues. While her methods may not always be smooth on the hard court, her solid skills still make her a good competitor. As the tennis world eagerly awaits the US Open and the excitement of the upcoming series, Navratilova’s eyes will be on Elena Rybakina. The challenge of turning her stunning successes into lasting Grand Slam titles continues.

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