WTA Player of the Year, No. 5: Elena Rybakina

If there was ever a moment in women’s tennis where the phrase “silent assassin” felt too soft, Elena Rybakina’s 2024–2025 campaign proved she’s something far bigger, far sharper, and far more terrifying for the field. Landing at No. 5 in the WTA Player of the Year rankings, Rybakina did not simply “earn” her place — she stormed into it with the kind of icy composure that only she can pull off. No fist-pumping theatrics. No over-the-top celebrations. Just cold, calculated domination that left the tennis world whispering the same question: How is she this good… and still getting better?

Let’s start with the obvious — that serve. The one that’s less “tennis stroke” and more “surface-to-air missile,” flattening opponents before they even finish their warm-up bounces. In a season filled with drama, rule changes, coaching controversies, and more cramping storylines than a Netflix docuseries, Rybakina was the one steady, unstoppable force. Over 500 aces. Dozens of pressure-point masterclasses. And a mental calm so unnervingly stable that even her rivals admitted they needed to “prepare differently” when she was across the net.

But what truly elevated Rybakina this year wasn’t just her power — it was her evolution. More aggression. More controlled fire. More willingness to step into rallies and take control with that laser-like backhand. Fans watched her shift from “dangerous contender” to “title favorite” with each passing tournament. The message was simple: give her a window, and she’ll blast through the entire house.

And yes — the elephant in the room — her reunion with the controversial mastermind Stefano Vukov turned headlines into wildfire. Critics called it risky. Supporters said it was destiny. Rybakina? She simply shrugged, walked onto the next court, and played like a woman built from titanium. Love him or hate him, the results were undeniable: her game looked sharper, scarier, and unmistakably more Rybakina. She turned noise into fuel, and fuel into trophies.

So is No. 5 high enough? Some fans swear she deserved No. 3. Others say she’s the real No. 1 when she’s healthy. But here’s the plot twist: ranking debates don’t bother her. Rybakina doesn’t chase applause — she collects wins.

And if this season was her warm-up?
The rest of the WTA might want to invest in helmets.