ALL ENGLAND CLUB, LONDON — Elena Rybakina is the newest name on the Venus Rosewater Dish after she came from a set down to beat world No.2 Ons Jabeur to win Wimbledon and her first Grand Slam title.
The Russian-born world No.23, who has represented Kazakhstan since 2018, put on a serving masterclass and used her big-hitting power to down her Tunisian opponent 3-6 6-2 6-2
This was a first Grand Slam final for both players but Rybakina, who looked nervous in the opening set, found her rhythm in the latter stages to go on and become her country's first player to win a major singles trophy.
Rybakina's historic victory for Kazakhstan comes after the All England Club's decision to ban Russian players from the tournament amid the invasion of Ukraine. The new champion was born in Moscow and her parents still live there.
Politics and her decision to switch allegiances will matter little to the 6ft ace queen right now though after she became the first woman to come back from a set down in the Wimbledon final since Amelie Mauresmo in 2006.
Elena Rybakina reacts to Wimbledon title
"I was super nervous before the match, during the match and I'm happy it's finished, to be honest. Really I have never felt something like this. I want to thank the crowd for the support, it was unbelievable these two weeks," the 23-year-old said.
"But also I want to congratulate Ons for a great match and everything you have achieved. I think you are an inspiration for everybody. You have an amazing game. We don't have someone like this on tour and it is a joy to play against you. I ran so much, I don't think I need to do fitness anymore.
23 years old. Wimbledon champion. 🇰🇿
Elena Rybakina, the youngest player to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish since 2011#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/U7C6GzFGQ8
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2022
"Thank you so much. It is just an unbelievable atmosphere. Thank you.
"It's true I did not expect to be in the second week of a Grand Slam at Wimbledon. To be a winner is just amazing. I don't have the words to say how happy I am.
"But I wouldn't be here without my team of course, so I want to say a big thanks to them. I want to say thanks to my coach, my sponsors, everyone. The most important is my parents, of course. They are not here so I am very sorry. My sister is here and it is just the third time she comes to watch so I'm happy she is here. Without my parents I wouldn't be here, for sure. Thank you so much everyone."
Ons Jabeur speaks out on Wimbledon defeat
"Thank you guys for your support, really appreciate it," said Jabeur.
"First of all I want to congratulate Elena and her team — great job and she deserved this and hopefully next time it will be mine.
"I wouldn't do this without my team there. They always pushed me to do more so thank you for your support and believing me.
"Elena stole my title but it's OK!
"I love this tournament so much and I feel really sad, but I'm trying to inspire many generations from my country. I hope they are listening.
"I also want to thank his beautiful crowd for all their support over the two weeks. It's been amazing.
"I want to wish Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating."
Elena Rybakina vs. Ons Jabeur result
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elena Rybakina | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Ons Jabeur | 6 | 2 | 2 |
Elena Rybakina vs. Ons Jabeur score updates and highlights from Wimbledon 2022 final
All times BST
*denotes server
*Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-2 6-2 Ons Jabeur - RYBAKINA WINS THIRD SET AND THE MATCH
She's hungry for the trophy, drilling an ace to start the most important service game of her life. Then she double faults. Jabeur hits a sweet backhand volley to take the lead and put some pressure on, 15-30. The No.2 seed goes big with a backhand at the next but it's well wide, 30-30. She does the same again to set up match point and Jabeur fires another return wide. Rybakina is the 2022 Wimbledon champion!
Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-2 5-2 *Ons Jabeur
Jabeur fires a forehand winner down the right side, 15-15, before the Tunisian hits one wide. She then hits a deceiving backhand slice that clips the net and she apologies, 30-30. Rybakina gets break point at the next as Jabeur's backhand goes long. Jabeur then puts a forehand beyond the base line and Rybakina gets the break! She just needs to hold serve to become Wimbledon champion.
*Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-2 4-2 Ons Jabeur
Jabeur takes the opening point as her shot sees the ball trickle over after clipping the top of the net. There didn't seem to be any apology there though and she fist pumps the crowd instead. She wins the next and then hits a lovely volley over Rybakina who doesn't even attempt to jump for it it's so good. Three break points! Rybakina saves one and then Jabeur's drop shot looks in but Rybakina challenges and it's just out, 30-40. Rybakina goes on the offensive, a powerful forehand Jabeur can't return brings up deuce. Rybakina gets the hold though and you can't help but feel that was a massive opportunity wasted by Jabeur.
Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-2 3-2 *Ons Jabeur
Jabeur can't afford to be making mistakes at this point in the match, a weak backhand slice goes into the net, 0-15. She wins the next two and then Rybakina hits a volley well wide, 40-15. Jabeur goes on to hold.
*Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-2 3-1 Ons Jabeur
More frustrations for Jabeur as she wins the first point but then hits back-to-back backhand returns long. At 40-15, Jabeur's power is too strong for Rybakina at the net and she volleys wide. Rybakina holds with a fierce double backhand winner.
Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-2 2-1 *Ons Jabeur
Jabeur receives huge cheers as she goes up to serve, the crowd doing their best to spur her on but she loses the opener. Jabeur gets back in control by using the accuracy in her drop shots to lure Rybakina into the net. She holds as Rybakina overhits a forehand.
*Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-2 2-0 Ons Jabeur
Jabeur needs to switch things up, she's only won two of the last eight games. An ace keeps the ball rolling for Rybakina before she loses the next two points. Jabeur attempts an ambitious lob at the next point but it lands just out, 30-30. One of the longest rallies of the match proceeds and goes Rybakina's way with a volley at the net. Rybakina holds with a forehand Jabeur can't get anywhere near.
Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-2 1-0 *Ons Jabeur
Rybakina finds either corner with brilliant forehands that sees the ball kiss the base line on both, 0-30. Jabeur gets one back but then has to stretch to reach a forehand and her shot hits the net. 15-40. She saves one break point but can't on the next as Rybakina hits a controlled volley at the net. Not the ideal start for Jabeur.
*Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-2 Ons Jabeur - RYBAKINA WINS SECOND SET
A forehand winner to the left gives Rybakina the opener and the 23-year-old wins the next, 30-0. Jabeur's return then goes long and it's three set points. She needs just one though as she rattles down an ace. Game on!
Elena Rybakina 3-6 5-2 *Ons Jabeur
Brilliant running from Rybakina gets her to 30-0, Jabeur is forced to play another tweener from the back of the court but this time the return is wide. Jabeur's soon level and then Rybakina hits a return forehand into the net. Jabeur delivers another big serve to hold. Rybakina will serve for the second set.
*Elena Rybakina 3-6 5-1 Ons Jabeur
Rybakina serves up an ace of her own at 15-0. Jabeur gets a point back but Rybakina's serve is relentless and she takes control of this game. Jabeur looks to the floor as she fails to return another and Rybakina moves to one game away from the second set.
Elena Rybakina 3-6 4-1 *Ons Jabeur
Jabeur drills her third ace of the match to get to 30-15 but then follows that up with a double fault. The Tunisian must do better as she runs onto hit a simple forehand at the net but it doesn't go over, break point. Jabeur then overhits a forehand and Rybakina has the break!
*Elena Rybakina 3-6 3-1 Ons Jabeur
Rybakina continues to pick the back corners with her forehand, another gets her to 30-0. Jabeur responds with one of her own after seeing her opponent come to the net, 30-15. The No.2 seed then sends a forehand wide before Rybakina gets her angles all wrong at the net, 40-30. Jabeur is patient in the next few rallies and waits for Rybakina to make the mistakes and gets her wish, break point. A forehand winner hit with conviction from Rybakina saves her. She saves another break point with a backhand volley at the net and eventually gets the hold with a big serve down the middle.
Elena Rybakina 3-6 2-1 *Ons Jabeur
Jabeur's forced into playing a tweener shot from the back of the court after Rybakina's lob but the spectacular doesn't quite come off. Rybakina hits a lovely forehand return winner to get to 30-30 and is growing in confidence with picking her winners. Jabeur soon thinks she's won the game with a deft drop shot but Rybakina is quick to it and plays a return round her opponent to snatch it. Rybakina gets another break point, again she's super speedy to get to a drop shot and that must be frustrating Jabeur. The world No.23 can't capitalise though and Jabeur gets the hold.
*Elena Rybakina 3-6 2-0 Ons Jabeur
Rybakina dominates the opening two rallies to take a 30-0 lead. Jabeur then shows brilliant athleticism to return two quick volleys at the net to get a point back. Jabeur goes for an ambitious forehand across court but it's wide, 40-15. Jabeur gets to deuce courtesy of a couple of Rybakina mistakes. The No.2 seed then gives Rybakina the eyes and instead of smashing a forehand at the net she dinks it over into space to get break point. Rybakina responds with an ace and goes on to hold.
Elena Rybakina 3-6 1-0 *Ons Jabeur
Rybakina needs to cut out the forehand mistakes, she's missed far too many so far, another sees her gall 30-15 behind. At 30-30 she hits one to perfection down the right line to get break point. Jabeur does her a favour by smashing a forehand of her own into the net.
*Elena Rybakina 3-6 Ons Jabeur - JABEUR WINS FIRST SET
Rybakina goes 0-30 down with some terrible serving. She presents three set points by blasting a forehand wide and then hits the net. Her worst service game so far at the worst possible moment.
Elena Rybakina 3-5 *Ons Jabeur
Jabeur comes to the net after a big serve and that forces Rybakina to go for a big winner down the line but it's wide, 30-0. Jabeur lures her opponent into a drop shot at the next which she returns but Jabeur his equal to it and Rybakina can't react quick enough to volley over. Jabeur holds.
*Elena Rybakina 3-4 Ons Jabeur
Jabeur is unlucky as her backhand effort hits the top of the tap but falls on her own side, 15-30. She can't return another right from the back of the court and then her next effort is overhit. Struggling to find that middle ground at times.
Elena Rybakina 2-4 *Ons Jabeur
Jabeur gets to 30-0 before Rybakina hits a fierce return forehand out of her opponent's reach. Jabeur's frustrated as she over hits a forehand but then makes amends with a big serve Rybakina can't return, 40-30. Rybakina finds the net and Jabeur holds.
*Elena Rybakina 2-3 Ons Jabeur
Rybakina hits a huge forehand volley at the net that Jabeur guesses the wrong way, 30-30. Rybakina should do better with a backhand but it goes wide, deuce. Jabeur picks up another break point but at the crucial moment she puts a forehand wide and long. She soon gets another opportunity though but Rybakina stays calm under pressure and goes on to hold.
Elena Rybakina 1-3 *Ons Jabeur
Jabeur looks comfortable so far and is showing Rybakina she can hit just as big a serve as she can. An easy hold.
*Elena Rybakina 1-2 Ons Jabeur
Rybakina isn't showing any signs of early nerves on her serve but Jabeur does get to 15-30 with some powerful hitting from the base line. Jabeur gets break point as Rybakina hits a forehand into the net and then smashes one long. A big early break for the Tunisian.
Elena Rybakina 1-1 *Ons Jabeur
Rybakina leaves Jabeur rooted with a sweet backhand winner down the line, 15-15. Jabeur gets back on track with two big serves, including an ace down the middle. Rybakina then drills a return forehand down the line, 40-30. Jabeur holds as Rybakina puts one wide.
*Elena Rybakina 1-0 Ons Jabeur
Rybakina gets the first point of the match as Jabeur can't return her serve. A few more big serves follow and Rybakina is 40-0. Jabeur gets two points back as Rybakina hits back-to-back forehands into the net before she smashes a forehand winner to hold.
2.05pm: A short warmup is underway and then we'll get going in what is the biggest match of both players' careers to date!
2pm: They come out to a huge reception at a packed Centre Court. It is an absolute scorcher here and extremely bright on court. It looks like it's just Rybakina wearing a cap though. Jabeur is sticking with the headband look.
1.55pm: Both players are outside the dressing room and beginning the short walk to Centre Court. That's got to be a nervous walk...
1:45pm: Rybakina's serve may well be one of the strongest aspects to her game but Jabeur is prepared to take the game to her.
“Rybakina is an aggressive player,” Jabeur said. “If you give her a little bit of time, she will take that away. I think she can play really good on grass because [she's] aggressive and changing the rhythm.
“She serves really well, so my main goal is to return as much balls as I can, to make her really work hard to win the point. I know she can hit really hard and hit a lot of winners.”
As for Rybakina, she can expect plenty of Jabeur magic with the Tunisian not afraid to try audacious slices and drop shots in her quest for points.
1.25pm: Crunching the numbers... here's some key stats ahead of the final.
Rybakina has played in just two Wimbledon main draws having made her tournament debut just last year. She now has an 8-1 record at The Championships.
Jabeur has lost just twice in her last 24 matches. She is on an 11-match win streak and is currently unbeaten on grass this season.
Rybakina is the ace queen. She's hit 217 aces this season, the most on the WTA Tour. No other player has hit more than 200 aces this season.
No female player has won more matches (84) than Jabeur across the 2021 and 2022 seasons. World No.1 Iga Swiatek has won 81.
1pm: It's Wimbledon final day for the ladies and in a few hours time we'll see a new name on the Venus Rosewater Dish as Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur battle it out for a place in the history books.
Jabeur is the favourite given her high ranking as the No.2 seed but Rybakina's impressive straight sets win over former champion Simona Halep in the semifinals means she cannot be underestimated.
Stay tuned for more build up ahead of both players taking to the court at 2pm BST / 9am ET.