Elena Rybakina’s serving power has long been one of her biggest assets. But serving the way she does puts a lot of stress on her shoulders. And that’s exactly what’s bothering Rybakina ahead of the WTA Finals. Sure, her serve was on point, helping her qualify for the semifinals, where she won over Ekaterina Alexandrova, even after feeling some discomfort. But now, as she prepares for the finals, one big question remains: Is that shoulder injury more serious than it seems?

On 6th November, X user @sebsharfam2 shared a clip from Rybakina’s post-match interview following her 6-4, 6-4 win over the Russian. The victory marked her third straight win in the round-robin stage, giving her a perfect 3-0 record and a smooth ticket to the semifinals. But fans quickly noticed something unusual: Rybakina’s shoulder was taped throughout the match.

Afterward, she revealed what happened.  “With the shoulder, it just happened during the warm-up. I felt it a bit uncomfortable.” Even with that injury, she still had to focus on the tough matches ahead.

At several moments in her match, Elena Rybakina could be seen massaging that same shoulder, especially during tight points. Still, her rhythm never faded. Looking ahead to Thursday’s semifinals, Rybakina could face one of four potential opponents: world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, or Jasmine Paolini, depending on how the final group results unfold.

The semifinal spots will be decided on November 6, with Sabalenka set to face Gauff and Pegula taking on Paolini. Rybakina will then meet the runner-up from that group in her semifinal on November 7, ahead of the final on November 8. But the road to the trophy will not be easy.

Despite that, Elena Rybakina remains positive. “We’re going to work on that, so hopefully it’s not going to be an issue for my next match. And yeah, I will try to do my best, as always.” If her shoulder holds up, Rybakina will once again be a serious contender for the title, because when her serve is firing, few can stop her.

Meanwhile, she has another hurdle to clear.

Elena Rybakina’s biggest challenge awaits in Riyadh

Injuries aren’t the only thing testing Elena Rybakina right now. Fatigue has become another major concern. Over the past month, she has played four tournaments and 11 matches in just 29 days, traveling thousands of miles with barely any time to rest. Those miles have clearly left their mark on her body and her game. After her most recent match, Rybakina opened up about how demanding the season has been.

As she puts it, “I’m a little bit tired, but I think everybody’s the same, and the season has been long. But I think everyone is going to try to push no matter what.” Her schedule has been brutal. Following her Ningbo Open 2025 title in China, Rybakina flew more than a thousand miles to Tokyo, and from there, straight to Riyadh.

But she knows everything will be good to go. “It’s really the last two matches left, so you will try your best. And for now, I have one day off, so hopefully it helps. And yeah, we’ll try to do as best as possible.” Yet even with determination on her side, the upcoming opponents present another daunting challenge.

If her shoulder continues to hold up, Elena Rybakina will continue to be one of the most formidable competitors for the title. Despite this, the numbers indicate that she will have a significant obstacle to overcome in Riyadh. She has a record of 5-8 in head-to-head matches against Sabalenka, with her most recent victory coming at the Washington Open in 2024. In addition, Gauff has triumphed over Rybakina in their one and only matchup, which took place at the 2022 Canadian Open. The score was 6-4, 6-7, 7-6.

Pegula has a three-match winning streak over her rival, including a victory in the 2023 Women’s Tennis Association Finals that she won in straight sets. With so many challenges stacked against her, the question is no longer simply about her ability; rather, it is about whether or not Rybakina is capable of rising to the occasion when it matters the most.