(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Elena Rybakina reveals she was talented at gymnastics before being forced to switch sports and ultimately taking up tennis. When Rybakina was just five, she was showing a talent for gymnastics but then coaches told her there was no point in continuing because she was “already too tall.” After trying out gymnastics and ice skating and realizing that her height was an issue, Rybakina needed a new sport.
Then, Rybakina’s father brought up the idea of her taking up tennis. Rybakina instantly fell in love with the sport and the rest is history as the 24-year-old is now a Wimbledon champion and the third-ranked player in the world.
Rybakina on how she got into tennis
“I have a sister who is three years older than me (Anna, they now travel together) and my parents always wanted to keep us busy, so they took us to gymnastics school and also ice skating.
My dad asked the coaches to look at us for the professional group. For gymnastics, I was too tall already and it was the same with ice skating. After a few months of trying, the coaches said she is good but there’s no point because she is tall, even though I was only five.
My dad liked tennis, and had played a bit when he was in his early 20s. He thought it would be fun but when we went my sister said straight away that she didn’t like it. I liked it from the start, even though it was tough going there without my sister.
I played a lot but I probably didn’t think I was going to go professional until 17,” Rybakina told Mail Sport. 20 years later, Rybakina is one of the best tennis players in the game. Next week, Rybakina will kick off her Wimbledon title defense.
Going into Wimbledon, Rybakina is considered among the top favorites for the title. It remains to be seen if Rybakina can defend her Wimbledon title.
