Elena Rybakina Stumbles at Wimbledon, Sparks Ranking Debate

**Elena Rybakina** fell in the Wimbledon third round on 6 July 2026, losing to Elise Mertens and prompting former Grand Slam finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to question her recent form and World No. 1 ambitions.

What happened at Wimbledon?

Rybakina entered Wimbledon as the world No. 2, fresh from a strong start to the 2026 season that included an Australian Open title over Aryna Sabalenka. In the third round she faced Belgium’s Elise Mertens and was defeated, ending her run earlier than expected for a player of her ranking.

The match highlighted a pattern of early exits in Grand Slams this year. After a dominant Australian Open, Rybakina slipped out in the second round of the French Open to Yuliia Starodubtseva, then again fell short at Wimbledon. The loss to Mertens, a seasoned competitor, was especially surprising given Rybakina’s recent momentum.

Why is this loss significant for Rybakina?

Rybakina’s 2026 campaign began with a Sunshine Double and a Stuttgart title, narrowing the points gap with Sabalenka. The Wimbledon defeat halted that surge and kept the World No. 1 spot out of reach. Pavlyuchenkova, who reached the Wimbledon quarter‑finals in 2016 and 2025, said the early exit was “disappointing” for a player poised to overtake the top ranking.

She suggested that the pressure of a looming No. 1 could be weighing on Rybakina, especially on surfaces that don’t suit her natural game. While clay has never been her strongest, the fact that she also struggled on grass raised concerns about her adaptability across the tour.

How does Pavlyuchenkova view Rybakina’s situation?

Pavlyuchenkova told Tennis Bolshe that the small points gap makes the No. 1 chase “very tempting,” yet Rybakina’s recent performances show a “strange” dip in confidence. She noted that at Roland Garros, Rybakina needed just a couple of wins to challenge Sabalenka, but she couldn’t convert those opportunities.

The Russian former finalist added that playing too many tournaments to chase points might be hurting her major‑event focus. “Maybe she’s more concerned with points elsewhere over the main events,” Pavlyuchenkova remarked, hinting that schedule management could be a factor.

What’s next for Elena Rybakina?

After Wimbledon, Rybakina will shift her preparation toward the US Open, hoping to regain form before the hard‑court swing. Her team may reassess the tournament load to balance ranking aspirations with peak performance at majors.

If she can translate her early‑season success into the latter half of the calendar, the World No. 1 race could tighten again. For now, the tennis world watches to see whether Rybakina can bounce back from the Wimbledon upset and re‑establish herself as a Grand Slam contender.