Being a tennis player is never an easy task. Sometimes, the amount of hatred and backlash that players go through is immense. The same has been the case with Elena Rybakina as well. Making her comeback on the professional circuit after a long time owing to her coaching drama, the player from Kazakh, playing at the United Cup encountered some backlash. But what stunned everyone was retired WTA legend Chris Evert stepping up to her defense.

A recent photo of Elena Rybakina showcasing her impressive shoulders and arms during a two-handed backhand stirred a debate online. While some fans criticized such images, claiming women players dislike these “flex pics,” legendary tennis star Chris Evert commented positively. She responded, “Looks beautiful to me!!!💪🏼,” highlighting the beauty in Rybakina’s strength and skill.

Rybakina has shown resilience on and off the court. She started 2025 season strong at the United Cup, helping her team advance, but 2024 was a challenging year for the former Wimbledon champion. Just days before the U.S. Open, she parted ways with her coach of five years, Stefano Vukov, following accusations of verbal insults. This coaching turmoil, combined with a back injury, forced Rybakina to withdraw from the U.S. Open after her first-round victory and skip the Asian swing altogether. She then appointed Novak Djokovic‘s former coach, Goran Ivanisevic to her team.

Over the years, the criticism of muscular physique is not new in women’s tennis. Serena Williams, another iconic player, faced similar scrutiny throughout her career. In a 2018 Vogue interview, Williams revealed, “People would say I was born a guy, all because of my arms, or because I’m strong.” Despite the negativity, both Rybakina and Williams inspire by embracing their power and redefining beauty in tennis.

Also, Chris Evert stepping up in her defense shows how the WTA world unites to stop criticism of any kind. However, this is not the first time when Evert has stood firm for Elena Rybakina.

Moments when Chris Evert showed her support to Elena Rybakina

Chris Evert, a legendary figure in tennis, has consistently shown her support for Elena Rybakina during challenging times. Amidst the coaching controversy that rocked Rybakina’s 2024 season, Evert extended heartfelt support. She said, “Wishing Elena the best and hoping she comes back healthy and happy.” Her words resonated with fans who admired her kindness toward the Kazakh player navigating a difficult phase in her career.

Not only this, Evert recently expressed her delight at seeing Rybakina and Simona Halep return to the court. In an Instagram story, Rybakina shared a glimpse of her WTA Finals preparations in Dubai, where she trained with Halep. Captioning the story, “Back at it. Great practice with @simonahalep,” Rybakina gave fans an inside look at her progress. Evert responded enthusiastically on her X handle, writing, “Great these two are back.”

This isn’t the first time Evert has come to Rybakina’s defense. Following a controversial press conference during the 2022 French Open, where Rybakina’s remarks were criticized online, Evert stepped in. Reacting to a video of the conference, she firmly commented, “What???? You call this snappy? OMG, you guys are reaching…” showing her support for the Kazakh star amidst undue scrutiny.

Chris Evert has always stood strong for Elena Rybakina. As the Kazakh star looks to kickstart her 2025 campaign, will she be able to overturn her 2024 woes? Do let us know in the comments below!