Elena Rybakina wins a Wimbledon title to many people’s surprise

By: Alice Li

Elena Rybakina achieved an unexpected win in this year's competition, but her Russian roots complicates what should be a welcome surprise.

Rybakina used to represent Russia but changed to Kazakhstan in 2018. This makes the timing of her win a bit awkward, as Wimbledon banned players representing Russia from participating in this year’s competition. Rybakina believes that even though she is Russian, she now represents Kazakhstan and has no connections to Russia as of her tennis career.

After her victory, Rybakina was not too exclamatory; it was only when she thought of her parents and how proud they were going to be that she began to tear up. Rybakina’s win might come in difficult times, but it still has something to celebrate.