Elena Rybakina likely to drop out of WTA Top 10 after shock Miami Open loss as rapid descent begins
Elena Rybakina Faces Possible Exit from WTA Top 10 After Miami Open Upset
Elena Rybakina is at risk of falling out of the WTA Top 10 following a surprising early exit at the Miami Open, marking a significant drop for the former Wimbledon champion.
While Rybakina hasn’t been performing poorly this season, she has struggled to meet the high standards she has set for herself. Her failure to defend last year’s Miami Open points has left her vulnerable in the live rankings, where she is already projected to slip to at least No. 9.
A Steady Decline in the Rankings
Rybakina reached the Miami Open final in both 2023 and 2024, losing to Petra Kvitova and Danielle Collins, respectively. However, without those points to support her ranking, her position in the Top 10 is in jeopardy.
Both Emma Navarro and Paula Badosa are in contention to overtake her. If they each reach the fourth round, Rybakina could drop out of the Top 10 entirely.
As it stands, Navarro is the biggest threat to Rybakina’s ranking, likely pushing her down to No. 10 if she advances. Meanwhile, Badosa, who is returning from a back injury, remains a wildcard but is still in the hunt for a Top 10 spot. Diana Shnaider winning the Miami Open title could also accelerate Rybakina’s decline.
Struggles on and off the Court
Beyond her recent form, Rybakina’s ranking decline is also a result of missed opportunities. She won the Abu Dhabi title earlier this season but has struggled with withdrawals and illness, limiting her momentum.
Adding to her challenges is the Stefano Vukov controversy—her longtime coach was banned for a season following a WTA investigation. Some observers noted that during her recent loss to Ashlyn Krueger, Rybakina seemed burdened by the situation, which may be affecting her performances.
With Stuttgart not on her schedule and the upcoming clay court season looming, Rybakina will need a strong response to avoid further decline. Just a year ago, she was battling Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka at the top of women’s tennis. Now, she’s fighting to stay inside the Top 10.
As the Billie Jean King Cup and clay swing approach, Rybakina must quickly find solutions to regain her form—or risk a continued slide down the rankings.
