Elena Rybakina is keeping her focus sharp as the 2025 WTA Finals approach, sharing candid thoughts on her chances to secure one of the last singles spots in Riyadh. With only three players, Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, and Jasmine Paolini, separated by a mere 407 points in the WTA Race standings, the race for the final two positions is as intense as it gets.
The Kazakh star acknowledges the challenge but remains determined, saying she will give her all in the final stretch while keeping her long-term goals in mind.
How Does Elena Rybakina Plan to Approach the Remaining Tournaments?
At a pre-tournament press conference in Ningbo, Rybakina addressed the pressure and her mindset heading into these pivotal weeks. She said, “The current situation depends not only on my own results, but also on the performance of the other players.”
“Of course, I will give my all. This season, although not as successful as previous ones, I will do my best to prepare well. I would be very happy if I could make it to the Finals. If not, I will use this as an opportunity to prepare well for next season, as I have bigger goals ahead, and I still need to put in a lot of effort,” she added.
Currently, Rybakina sits at 3,913 points for the season with a 47-19 win-loss record, including a Strasbourg title. As the third seed in Ningbo, she will open against the winner of the Victoria Mboko-Dayana Yastremska match.
Although she cannot secure a Finals berth outright this week, a deep run, at least a semifinal appearance, could give her the points needed to leapfrog Paolini if the Italian falls short, though Andreeva would remain ahead.
What Challenges Lie Ahead for Rybakina in the WTA Finals Race?
The WTA Finals, set in Riyadh later this year, feature the top eight singles players and doubles teams on the season, making every remaining tournament crucial for those on the bubble. Rybakina’s recent performances have been mixed, with a third-round loss to Eva Lys in Beijing and a quarterfinal defeat in Wuhan against Aryna Sabalenka, 6-3, 6-3.
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Meanwhile, Jessica Pegula officially clinched her spot thanks to her strong run to the final in Wuhan, joining Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Madison Keys. For Rybakina, this means she must rely on late-season results to keep her WTA Finals hopes alive.
All three contenders for the final spots, Rybakina, Paolini, and Andreeva, are competing at the Ningbo Open in China, which kicked off on October 13, offering 500 points to the champion. Paolini and Rybakina will also be on court the following week at the Tokyo Open, the season’s final 500-level event.