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2026 Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina suffered a surprising loss to Charleston Open finalist and Ukrainian tennis star Yuliia Starodubtseva in the second round of the 2026 French Open.
It was a three set match decided by the ten point tiebreaker at the conclusion of the final set. Rybakina spoke after the loss about a disappointing clay season. Despite winning Stuttgart which she explained has different conditions because it is an indoor tournament, she was not pleased with her results the rest of the spring.
MORE: French Open 2026: Hailey Baptiste’s tournament comes to a devastating end
In addition, she talked about feeling good about her Roland Garros preparation and admitted that the French Open practices went well. Reporters were attuned to her analysis. However, one asked about her coach Stefano Vukov who left her box during the match. Rybakina has always defended Vukov despite his suspension and eventual reinstatement by the WTA.
Some jumped to the conclusion that he was upset or angry with her level of play. Rybakina set the record straight by explaining that he has been sick for the past couple of days.
They talked prior to the match about the possibility of him leaving the box if he was not feeling well.
MORE: French Open 2026: Iga Swiatek wins in more ways than one on Day 4
The obvious answer is yes because she did it in 2022.
Jul 9, 2022; London, England, United Kingdom; Elena Rybakina (KAZ) holds the Venus Rosewater Dish after winning her women s singles final against Ons Jabeur (TUN) on Centre court at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images
Like all of the other big names who either skipped the French Open or exited prematurely, she can get a jump start on a short grass season that lasts only a month, culminating with Wimbledon.
With Rybakina’s exit from the French Open, Aryna Sabalenka becomes a heavier favorite as do Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek. Or will we crown a maiden Grand Slam champion, one of the clay court mavens from this spring: Marta Kostyuk, Elina Svitolina, or Emma Navarro? Watch the French Open now through June 7 to find out.
Continue reading...
It was a three set match decided by the ten point tiebreaker at the conclusion of the final set. Rybakina spoke after the loss about a disappointing clay season. Despite winning Stuttgart which she explained has different conditions because it is an indoor tournament, she was not pleased with her results the rest of the spring.
MORE: French Open 2026: Hailey Baptiste’s tournament comes to a devastating end
In addition, she talked about feeling good about her Roland Garros preparation and admitted that the French Open practices went well. Reporters were attuned to her analysis. However, one asked about her coach Stefano Vukov who left her box during the match. Rybakina has always defended Vukov despite his suspension and eventual reinstatement by the WTA.
Rybakina explained why Vukov left the match
Some jumped to the conclusion that he was upset or angry with her level of play. Rybakina set the record straight by explaining that he has been sick for the past couple of days.
They talked prior to the match about the possibility of him leaving the box if he was not feeling well.
MORE: French Open 2026: Iga Swiatek wins in more ways than one on Day 4
Can Rybakina win Wimbledon
The obvious answer is yes because she did it in 2022.
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Jul 9, 2022; London, England, United Kingdom; Elena Rybakina (KAZ) holds the Venus Rosewater Dish after winning her women s singles final against Ons Jabeur (TUN) on Centre court at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images
Like all of the other big names who either skipped the French Open or exited prematurely, she can get a jump start on a short grass season that lasts only a month, culminating with Wimbledon.
With Rybakina’s exit from the French Open, Aryna Sabalenka becomes a heavier favorite as do Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek. Or will we crown a maiden Grand Slam champion, one of the clay court mavens from this spring: Marta Kostyuk, Elina Svitolina, or Emma Navarro? Watch the French Open now through June 7 to find out.
Continue reading...
