What happens when a champion stumbles? For some, it’s a sign to retreat. But for Elena Rybakina, it’s a challenge to overcome. The Kazakh star arrived in Melbourne as a top contender, but the Australian Open ended in frustration with a Round of 16 loss to Madison Keys. It wasn’t just the defeat, but how it transpired. She powered through her early rounds, dismantling Emerson Jones and Iva Jovic in under two hours combined.

But the problems started with the Dayana Yastremska clash where she suffered from a persistent back issue, and a grueling seven-match-point finish. And against Keys, her movement faltered and the final set slipped away. Now, she’s in Abu Dhabi, where she lifted the trophy last year and the World No. 5 means nothing but business after AO loss.

Rybakina knows what it takes to win in Abu Dhabi because she’s done it before; last year, she stormed through the draw and capped off her run with a supreme 6-1, 6-4 victory over then-No.14 Daria Kasatkina in the final. Now, she’s back as the top seed and defending champion with the same goal.

Rybakina landed in Abu Dhabi, not to reflect, but to reset. “I arrived in Abu Dhabi two days ago from the Australian Open and quickly resumed training to adapt to the weather and prepare to defend the title I won last year,” she said. “That loss is actually my biggest motivation to win the title here for the second consecutive year.” She said on reflecting on the fourth-round loss to Emirates News Agency.

“It’s a good thing for me that the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open follows the Australian Open directly, especially since I’m in peak physical and mental condition, I’m highly motivated to perform well and compete for the title,” Rybakina said.

The Middle East swing’s first stop in the desert oasis will also mark Elena Rybakina’s first tournament with Davide Sanguinetti in her corner. But how did it come to this? Just weeks ago, Rybakina brought in former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic on trial after her split with her longtime coach Stefano Vukov. However, Rybakina surprisingly wanted Vukov back in January; the Croatian coach, suspended by the WTA, even went to Melbourne, but his coaching credentials were rejected.

After her early Melbourne exit, Rybakina and Ivanisevic parted ways. Despite Vukov’s tournament ban, Rybakina continues working with him; however, she added Sanguinetti as her courtside coach to work alongside Vukov. 

Rybakina’s first assignment with Sanguinetti will be against American Katy Volynets in the Round of 16 clash as she starts her title defense at the Abu Dhabi Open 2025.

Elena Rybakina braces for Katy Volynets at the first round of Abu Dhabi Open

Elena Rybakina has been a force on the WTA Tour, but her 2024 season was a tale of highs and abrupt stops. She started with titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart, defeating top names like Iga Swiatek. But injuries and illness hampered her momentum, forcing withdrawals from the Paris Olympics, US Open, and the Asian swing, and a return at the WTA Finals ended in disappointment. 2025 didn’t start as expected either, with an early 4th round exit at Melbourne Park. But Kazakh now looks to reset! What about Katie Volynets?

Katie Volynets ranked No. 68, had a mixed 2024 season, with a WTA 125K title in Makarska and deep runs in Canberra and Thailand. Her 2025 campaign began with a quarterfinal in Auckland, but her performances in Hobart and Melbourne were unremarkable. Has Volynets in her to do any damage?

Rybakina leads their head-to-head 1-0, a dominant 6-4, 6-0 win at Roland Garros 2022. But Volynets’ quick-footed counter-punching could frustrate Rybakina’s all-out power. If the world No. 5 keeps her unforced errors in check, her first-strike tennis should prove too much.

Prediction? Rybakina in straight sets. Volynets fights, but Rybakina’s firepower and experience prevail.