On indoor courts, especially, she dominates. There’s no wind, no sun in her eyes on the toss. Just the ball and the target. On court, when things get tight, she breathes, talks to her box and refocuses. She plays, and plays hard. 

But she understands the role of mental health in the game. She’s watched her contemporaries (Aryna Sabalenka, to name one) speak out about the enormous pressure put on athletes. Sports psychologists are now more common — there’s no shame there. Rybakina is aware of her limits. 

Maybe because she was the kid showing up to practice part-time, or because her parents weren’t forcing her to play, Rybakina has a clear-eyed understanding of the right and wrong reasons to play tennis as a junior. When it’s for the wrong reasons, the requirements of travel, training and solitude can be crushing. The first time she traveled to Australia for the Open, she was 16 and unaccompanied. “I went without [a] coach or parents, which is very rare. My parents, they both were working at that time. They couldn’t really skip and of course, financially, I couldn’t bring a coach.” 

The experience was impactful. “It was one of my first Grand Slams,” she said of playing as a junior, but it was also far away and she was on her own. “It was a difficult trip at some point, but at the same time, I made good friends. I love Melbourne.” Though she lost, she made lasting connections and gained a sense of autonomy and selfhood. One piece of advice she’d give young players: make sure you’re having fun. 

Fast-forward to 2026: Back in Australia, Rybakina against Sabalenka, same as last time, but this time, Rybakina wins. “It was incredible. Again, I played against [Sabalenka], the same player, just three years later, and I managed to win. It was really nice, and I was super happy.” 

Now, Rybakina is based in Dubai, where she’s able to train in cutting-edge facilities. She’s also centrally located for tournaments across the globe. She feels at home in the Middle East: great courts, matches that don’t start too early, and good food. (It’s the rice with chicken she goes for, and the desserts, though not so much in training season.) The region suits her game and her rhythm. The results are clear: With access to the world’s best courts, no lengthy travel and no diversions, her game is locked. 

What’s next? Well, No. 3 is great, but No. 1 would be even better. Rybakina thinks this year it’s possible — and says so without drama or a fist pump. Sabalenka, Swiatek and Gauff have all worn their fame loudly — brands, covers, moments. Rybakina’s ambition is just as massive, but she delivers it with a shrug: “I have all the game and all the possibilities.”