Elena Rybakina created history with her iconic win at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. The 23-year-old outplayed the Tunisian star Ons Jabeur in three sets to clinch her maiden Grand Slam title. Although Rybakina received major praise for her impressive victory, the win also came with a negative twist.

Rybakina was born and brought up in Russia. After spending her childhood and teenage years there, she opted to leave Russia and become a citizen of Kazakhstan in 2018. Ever since then, she has been playing on the tour as a Kazakh national. Recently, following her win at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, a number of Russian politicians came out in public to call her ‘out product’.

The controversial twist to the victory of Elena Rybakina

Despite Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players, Rybakina had the leverage to play at the Championships, having played under the Kazakh flag for the last four years. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Rybakina went ahead to secure an unprecedented title.

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However, the celebratory moment turned controversial when the Russian tennis chief, Shamil Tarpischev, congratulated Rybakina for her victory. “It’s very nice! Well done Rybakina! We win the Wimbledon tournament,” he said.

Along with Tarpishev, former Russian World No.1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov opted to take a dig at Kazakhstan. Taking to his Twitter account, he wrote, “Buying a ready to use product from the producer does not take a lot of brains.”

Russia’s dig at Rybakina’s nationality made the headlines. However, learning about the criticism, Kazakh officials took no time to come out in support of the World No. 23. Giving it back to the Russian tennis chief, Kazakhstan’s deputy tennis chief, Yuri Polskiy said, “If it is the result of (Russia’s) work, why did they let her go so easily? In 2018, Shamil Tarpischev said himself that he did not consider Elena Rybakina a tennis player of promise.”

Rybakina reacts to Russian Tennis Federation’s claims

Rybakina proved herself on the tennis court. Outplaying players like Simona Halep and Ons Jabeur, Rybakina has come out to mark herself as a prominent player on the tour. Learning about Russia’s comments, Rybakina also came out in public to criticize the country for its comments.

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“The transition from a junior to a professional career is very difficult. A good team is needed. Not everyone is able to continue at professional level and achieve some successes. Only a small number (can) and in this way I am very lucky. So I am of course not really in agreement with that phrasing,” she said.

Having won the Wimbledon Championships, Rybakina will now shift her focus to the upcoming hard-court season. Do you think the Kazakh can recreate her sensational victory in Flushing Meadows? Give us your thoughts in the comments.