In Brisbane’s warm summer air, Elena Rybakina walked onto Pat Rafter Arena like a player who had never truly left. It was her first match of the 2026 season, but the poise, the composure, and the thunderous power off her racket felt like a direct continuation of her blistering finish to 2025. Rybakina didn't shy away from her ambitions after the win. Her message was simple but delivered with a quiet intensity that made it resonate even more.

Interestingly, before the tournament began, Rybakina had taken a more tempered approach in her press conference. She emphasized fitness over results, reminding everyone that the Brisbane International - despite its star-studded WTA 500 draw - was still an early-season experiment for most. But after securing a comfortable 6-3, 7-5 win against Shuai Zhang, the world number 5 said, “I’m hoping to bring everything that I did in the past season to this one. Hopefully, I can go as far as I can in each Slam, maybe win 1 of them. We’ll see. I have big goals.”

This was her first win of the 2026 season, and with this win, she has now extended her Brisbane winning streak to six straight matches. Elena Rybakina fired a stunning 16 aces - 13 of them in the second set alone, a serving performance that felt almost unfair. Guess what?

This was also her 12th consecutive victory overall, with 7 of those coming against Top 10 opponents. Brisbane seems to bring out something special in her - this was also her 11th straight set win in the city, a statistic that only strengthens her aura of inevitability here.

In 2025, Elena Rybakina won three titles, including her historic triumph at the WTA Finals. She has made a strong start in 2026. But can she keep the momentum going for the rest of the 2026 season? Well, for Rybakina, this isn’t about chasing immediate perfection. It’s about building something sustainable for the long grind of 2026. And if Brisbane is merely a warm-up, then the rest of the Tour has reason to worry.

The win over Zhang wasn’t just the first match of the season. It was a statement. A declaration that Elena Rybakina has arrived in 2026 with fire in her eyes, power in her hands, and goals bigger than ever. But can she really win big titles in 2026?

Former pros drop their predictions on Elena Rybakina’s Grand Slam hopes in 2026

As the WTA season builds toward its first major tests, Elena Rybakina’s name keeps appearing at the center of every major conversation. She finished 2025 as the most in-form player on the planet and looked stronger - mentally and physically - than ever. Now, with 2026 underway, former pros are not just admiring her rise; they’re predicting something even bigger.

During one of the previous episodes of Served with Andy Roddick, the former world number one couldn’t help but draw a comparison that immediately raised eyebrows. “Elena Rybakina presents as someone who is like a number one draft pick in the NBA.” A number one draft pick means the rare type of player who simply looks different. Plays differently. Feels different. Roddick broke down why: 6’2” frame, a massive serve, elite-level power, few weaknesses, and most concerns unrelated to her tennis. Talking about her chances of winning a major title in 2026, Roddick said: 

“She finished the year strongly. Seems settled. I think she can win a Major next year, no doubt. She is in that upper tier as far as ability goes, pretty easily, I think. I could not think more of her game, so we will see what 2026 brings. But she has a five next to her name. Barring missing months and months and months, and I feel that is the caveat we do with everything, she is going to be higher than that.”

Elena Rybakina made her Grand Slam debut in 2018. She won her first major title four years later at Wimbledon. She reached another final a year later in Melbourne but has yet to win her second Grand Slam title.

According to Greg Rusedski, “I would not be surprised if she goes on to win the Australian Open, but I think she is the hot tip to win Wimbledon this year, just because of her power game and everything that she went through in 2025. She seems to be back to her best.”

The question heading into 2026 isn’t whether she can compete with the best - it’s whether anyone can stop her. Elena Rybakina is not just a contender - she’s the player to watch. Do you also think she can win a major title this season?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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