Remember when Elena Rybakina lifted her first Grand Slam title in 2022? On those same hallowed green courts of Wimbledon, Rybakina proved to the tennis world that she was here to win big. It was a moment of triumph, a signal of her immense potential. This year, Rybakina has again emerged as the clear favorite to clinch a second Wimbledon title. The tournament has been rife with upsets, shaking up both halves of the draw and leaving the path to victory seemingly wide open for the Kazakh star. Among her latest supporters is none other than former pro Andy Roddick.

The 25-year-old WTA star has been on a remarkable run on the grass courts, yet again. Other than the second set she lost against Laura Siegemund in the second round, all her victories have come in straight sets. After she advanced to the quarterfinals when Anna Kalinskaya decided to retire in the round-of-16 clash following a wrist injury, chances have increased further for Rybakina. This is exactly what the former tennis star Andy Roddick echoed in his latest statements.

Speaking on the July 9th episode of Served with Roddick, the 2003 US Open Champion seemed to side with Elena Rybakina as the title contender at Wimbledon. “I am going Rybakina to win the title,” Roddick said. However, he did not fail to express the dilemma he is in after top players exited the tournament. “Especially when like the most reliable players in the game are no longer in the tournament like it’s you know, my strategy and who you want to bet against the least I have no idea.” Meanwhile, Roddick further explained the likely player who can make it to the finals along with Rybakina.

The former American tennis star expects Jasmine Paolini to play her second grand slam final in a row. “Paolini makes her second straight, Grand Slam final. I’m having a lot of scar tissue from Paolini proving me wrong, like the last month of my life.” Paolini, who played the Roland Garros final last month, has proved Roddick wrong on many occasions. The 41-year-old had remarked last month that Paolini’s short height would make it difficult for her to win against Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals, but the Italian defied the odds against the 17-year-old. Roddick’s statements come after top-seeded players like Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff were whisked out of the tournament.

While the World No. 1 Swiatek received a shocking loss to Elena Rybakina’s compatriot Yulia Putintseva in the third round, No. 2 seed Gauff faced a defeat in the hands of Emma Navarro in the round of 16. Rybakina, who has not played a single Grand Slam final since the 2023 Australian Open, is now set to face Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. However, the highest-ranked player left in the draw is not pressurized with the anticipations that she is laden with. 

‘I don’t really think…’ Elena Rybakina opens up on anticipations from her at Wimbledon

Elena Rybakina is getting widespread support from the tennis community. The Kazhak star is, however, looking at this support as a confidence booster and is not letting it impact her campaign at Wimbledon. 

When quizzed about whether she is facing pressure from the anticipations that she is laden with, Rybakina said, “I don’t feel pressure.” Continuing further, she revealed the reason behind her statements. “Every opponent is difficult and I know that I must always bring my best and that’s what I try to do for every match. I’m just really enjoying every time I step out on the court. I am happy I am going fine in the draw and hopefully I can go to the end.” However, these anticipations are surely acting as a confidence booster for the 25-year-old. 

“It feels good, of course, if people think so. I mean, it’s still far to go to the final. Still a lot of matches in front. As I always say, it’s just match by match and we see how it goes. But definitely I want to go far and try to win it.” While only time will tell if Rybakina can repeat the history, her impressive skills are what the tennis fans are awaiting yet again.