Kim Clijsters Praises Elena Rybakina’s Fitness Transformation After Rising to World No. 1 at the US Open

Tennis legend Kim Clijsters has closely analyzed Elena Rybakina‘s phenomenal surge to the top of the women’s tennis rankings. Clijsters recently shared her insights on the ‘Love All Podcast’, highlighting the Kazakhstani star’s visible physical transformation.

According to the former world number one, Rybakina has significantly improved her physical conditioning and overall movement on the court. This improved durability allows the powerful ball-striker to maintain her high-intensity baseline game through grueling three-set matches.

To me, what I noticed first is that she looks fitter; she moves better. She was always a great ball striker. She’s somebody who, when you’re standing across the net from her, hits the ball so hard, flat, deep, consistently. It’s very hard; it’s like you’re being targeted. It’s very hard to get out from under that unless you have the same amount of power, but you can do it earlier than her. I feel like she moves better; I think also her legs look stronger; I think she is a little quicker on her feet.

Clijsters noted that while Rybakina’s baseline prowess has always troubled opponents, her enhanced strength provides a crucial competitive edge. The tennis great emphasized that these physical gains enable Rybakina to make quicker adjustments and execute shots from her ideal strike zone. She added:

I don’t mean it in a way like all of a sudden she’s going to be able to defend like Coco Gauff does. But I think it puts her in a position where she’s able to play her best tennis more frequently, for three sets at a time, seven matches in a row, because she’s fitter. She needs to be behind the ball and able to hit the ball in that sweet spot right in front of her, and the fitter you are, the faster you are able to make adjustments, and to me, that’s where the difference lies in her game that I’ve noticed.

This notable physical evolution has directly contributed to Rybakina capturing her second Grand Slam title of the season at the US Open. By securing this major victory, she officially climbed to the summit of the WTA rankings with 9,901 points.

Missing the Billie Jean King Cup

Despite her stellar individual success and new status at the pinnacle of the sport, Elena Rybakina‘s schedule faces immediate adjustments. Reports indicate that the world number one is set to miss upcoming national team commitments, specifically the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

The prestigious team tournament is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 22, in China. Rybakina’s anticipated absence comes as a significant blow to her countrywomen, who were hoping to feature their highest-ranked player on the international stage.

Managing a packed and demanding professional calendar has become a top priority for Rybakina and her coaching team. Given her history of mid-season physical struggles and withdrawals due to illness earlier in the year, careful scheduling is vital for her longevity.

Her focus immediately shifts toward the lucrative and demanding upcoming Asian swing events. She aims to preserve her ranking points and physical freshness while skipping the team competition to protect her body.

Elena Rybakina’s World No. 1 ranking under threat?

Although Rybakina currently sits comfortably at the top with 9,901 points, her reign faces an intense challenge. Outgoing number one Aryna Sabalenka sits in second place with 7,875 points, closely trailing the leader.

Furthermore, American contenders Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff occupy the third and fourth positions with 7,265 and 7,244 points, respectively. These formidable rivals are within striking distance as the tour heads into the final stretch of the 2026 season.

Rybakina carries the heaviest burden of defending ranking points during the upcoming autumn tournaments. She must successfully defend 2,410 points before the conclusion of the year, including a maximum of 1,500 points from her undefeated run at last year’s WTA Finals.

Without factoring in last year’s points, Rybakina’s live lead over Sabalenka narrows down to just 1,007 points. If any of her primary chasers secure a victory at the season-ending championships, the battle for the year-end No. 1 spot will go down to the wire.

Also Read: Novak Djokovic Reveals Why He Wanted to ‘Leave’ Tennis in 2010: “I Was Really Stressed Out About Everything”