Elena Rybakina Wins WTA Finals, Djokovic Withdraws from Turin
Locker Room
November 9, 2025
Elena Rybakina reduced Aryna Sabalenka to meltdown in Saudi Arabia.
All she had to do was stay calm and play to her own strengths. And what a demonstration of self-control she gave us!
Everything about Elena was understated. The sweetly-struck shots and serves disguised her awesome power with their flowing elegance.
She made her returns look easy, when in fact they were enormously difficult to execute and control against such air-splitting speed.
And when Rybakina sealed her 6-4, 7-6 (7-0) victory with that crushing performance in the tie-break, the handshake at the net was minimalist. Even her celebration seemed to lack emotion.
Most people would look pretty excited if they had just won $5 million or more. Rybakina just looked mildly pleased. But that’s how she rolls – win or lose.
Elena Rybakina will aim to use that ice-cool temperament to win Wimbledon 2026. After all, she has won the title before.
And top dog Sabalenka’s reaction in Riyadh couldn’t have contrasted more sharply with that of her conqueror.
She smashed her racquet against the hard-court surface. She wept with her team and remonstrated against the injustice of it all.
Except there was no injustice. She squandered chances to take the second set and was punished for her lack of ruthlessness.
Her childlike reactions to defeat show us how passionate she is. But Aryna can be her own worst enemy.
‘It was a battle but it’s tennis,’ Rybakina reminded her rival afterwards, with the sort of calm philosophy Sabalenka lacks in the immediate aftermath of a loss. ‘I hope we have more battles together for this title.’
And Novak Djokovic needed to be philosophical in Greece, where he experienced triumph and disappointment in the same moment.
In Athens he won his 101st career title by beating Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Then he quickly pulled out of the ATP year-end Finals in Turin.
Elena Rybakina and Novak Djokovic should be fighting fit to go for the biggest singles titles of them all at Wimbledon 2026 next summer.
But for now, the Serb had to announce that his nagging shoulder had got the better of him. ‘I was really looking forward to competing in Turin and giving my best.
‘But after today’s final in Athens, I’m sad to share that I need to withdraw due to an ongoing injury.
‘I wish all the players an amazing tournament. I can’t wait to be back on the court with you all soon!’
Wimbledon 2026 will surely be Novak’s last time at the All England Club as a serious contender. Elena Rybakina has a few more chances to repeat her feat of 2022.
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