Australian Open 2026: "No player wants to face her" — Rybakina, the threat everyone fears

Sabalenka, Swiatek… what if the real threat comes from elsewhere? Former player Rennae Stubbs sees Elena Rybakina as the big favorite for the 2026 Australian Open.

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Jules Hypolite

le 11/12/2025 à 17h17

2 min to read

Rybakina Elena

With just over a month to go before the start of the 2026 Australian Open, predictions are already in full swing regarding the future winners.

On the women's side, Madison Keys will be closely watched after surprisingly winning the event this year. But Aryna Sabalenka, world number one, and Iga Swiatek will once again be among the favorites.

"No player wants to face her"

For former player Rennae Stubbs, it's rather Elena Rybakina, world number 5, who could be poised for the title. This is what she explained in her podcast:

"Rybakina has had a bit of an up-and-down year, but I think we really need to watch out for her in Australia.

She crushed Sabalenka a few years ago in Brisbane, then she played in Adelaide and had a small Achilles tendon issue flare up again, before losing an epic tie-break to Blinkova in Melbourne.

I think she should have won the Australian Open that year, after what she managed against Sabalenka the week before. But she will be there, and she will be among the favorites. And no player wants to face her. None.

She doesn't have many weaknesses, her serve is huge. She probably has the most powerful and best serve in women's tennis. One of the best backhands I've ever seen. So she will clearly be among the contenders for the title at the Australian Open."