• Editorial Team
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
FirstSportz
  • eSports
  • F1
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MLB
  • MMA
  • NASCAR
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • Tennis
  • WWE
No Result
View All Result
  • eSports
  • F1
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MLB
  • MMA
  • NASCAR
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • Tennis
  • WWE
No Result
View All Result
FirstSportz
No Result
View All Result
Home Tennis Australian Open

Russian-born Elena Rybakina denies Maria Sharapova being her idol growing up, reveals it to be one of the Big 3

Elena Rybakina reveals her idol while growing up in Russia and it is not Maria Sharapova as one would expect.

by Abhinavendu Singh
January 27, 2023, 10:40 AM IST
in Australian Open, Tennis
Elena Rybakina, Maria Sharapova

Elena Rybakina, Maria Sharapova

Elena Rybakina’s advance to the final of the Australian Open is one of the most unforgettable stories of the 2023 edition. Her bullet-paced aces dispatching the opponents one after another are the talk of the town. The grace displayed by her on the court despite the challenges caused by her Russian origin defined her game throughout the tournament. 

The reigning Wimbledon champion outclassed 2012 and 2013 Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka 7-6, (7-4), 6-3 to seal her first final spot Down Under. Azarenka is not the only big name that she gunned down. On the path to the title clash, Rybakina overpowered Danielle Collins, World No.1 Iga Swiatek, and 2019 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. 

YouTube video

Before the start of the tournament, no one picked her as the favorite. She was even relegated to one of the outside courts of Melbourne Park which was not appropriate for someone winning a Major just a few months back. But nothing bothered the 23-year-old. 

Rybakina embraced all the efforts to discredit her as a source of motivation. “Well, I guess it’s a motivation to win even more,” Rybakina said after defeating Danielle Collins in the third round. 

RELENTLESS ✊

Elena Rybakina defeats a third former major champion in a row to reach her second career Slam final!#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/cIcesSqOhz

— wta (@WTA) January 26, 2023

The Kazakh player has opened up about her childhood days and who inspired her the most in her tennis journey. As she is of Russian origin, most fans out there will guess former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova as her idol but this is not the case. 

Related: Victoria Azarenka asked to remove her PSG shirt before the 2023 Australian Open semi-final

Roger Federer is Elena Rybakina’s idol, not Maria Sharapova 

Elena Rybakina, Roger Federer

Elena was asked in a press conference if she ever idolized Maria Sharapova as she grew up in Russia. She revealed that the Swiss maestro Roger Federer was and still is her idol. From the women’s side, she refused to pick a name. 

“I would say I didn’t really have an idol when I was younger, I was just playing tennis after school. I didn’t have much time to actually watch tennis. The idol was for me, like, and still Roger Federer. From the woman’s side, I would say that I like just to watch if I had the chance, different players. I won’t say from the woman I had like an idol,” Rybakina said. 

In the final, Rybakina will face No.5 Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday at Rod Laver Arena. The Belarusian is an ominous form and is yet to lose a set in the tournament. The clash will definitely be a thrilling one as the fans await a new champion to be crowned in Melbourne. If Rybakina manages to win the title she is guaranteed an entry into the top 10.

Continue Reading:

Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna lose an emotionally mixed doubles final at the Australian Open

Rafael Nadal gives an important update on his hip injury suffered at the Australian Open

Tags: Australian Open 2023Elena RybakinaMaria SharapovaRoger Federer
Abhinavendu Singh

Abhinavendu Singh

Abhinavendu Singh is a Tennis Writer at FirstSportz. He has been following this sport since childhood and is a diehard 'Fedal' fan. Though drawn to the sport since 2004, it was Rafael Nadal's win over Swiss maestro Roger Federer in the 2006 French Open final that made him fall in love with the sport. Originally a Nadal supporter, he became a 'Fedal' fanatic after the duo produced a historic game for the ages at 2008 Wimbledon final. An engineer by training, whenever he is not watching tennis or writing about it Abhinavendu is either busy watching crime thrillers, experimenting with ingredients in kitchen or reading non-fiction books.

Daniil Medvedev

Barbora Krejcikova roasts Daniil Medvedev for his toxic relationship with courts at Indian Wells Masters

by Nirmit Mehta
March 21, 2023, 10:11 AM IST

Scott Fitterer and Lamar Jackson (Image via Panther Wire and Larry Brown Sports)

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer reveals why the team refused to pursue the 2019 Unanimous NFL MVP Lamar Jackson

by Yash Karandekar
March 21, 2023, 10:00 AM IST

Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby unruffled despite Penguins’ embarrassing 6-0 loss against Rangers prior Stanley Cup season

by Kaushani Chatterjee
March 21, 2023, 9:49 AM IST

Dalton Schultz (Image via DraftKings Nation)

“Bro banked on himself and failed” – NFL Twitter reacts as Dalton Schultz rejected the Cowboys’ three-year $36M extension in favor of the Texans’ one-year deal worth $9M

by Yash Karandekar
March 21, 2023, 9:37 AM IST

FirstSportz-Logo-Light
FirstSportz is the First Stop for all sports fanatics. Starting in 2019, we initially covered Olympic Sports, but in 2021 we added every other sport which you might be looking for, like NFL, Golf, MLB, WWE Cricket, Football, Tennis, Esports, NBA, MMA and more.
DMCA.com Protection Status
  • About Us
  • Advertise at FirstSportz
  • Contact Us
  • Correction Policy
  • DMCA/Copyrights Disclaimer
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Fact Checking Policy
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Join Us
  • Ownership and Funding Information
  • Privacy Policy

© 2023 by Firstsportz

No Result
View All Result
  • eSports
    • Free Fire
  • F1
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MLB
  • MMA
  • NASCAR
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • Tennis
  • WWE
  • Info
    • About Us
    • Editorial Team
    • Contact Us

© 2023 by Firstsportz

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy