WATCH: Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina gears up for WTA finals after Dubai training with Simona Halep

After a challenging season punctuated by a coaching split and health setbacks, Wimbledon 2022 champion Elena Rybakina is making a much-anticipated return at the WTA Finals. Rybakina recently confirmed her comeback by sharing a practice session with former world No. 1 Simona Halep in Dubai, an ideal training locale for players due to its favorable climate.

Her Instagram Story captioned, “Back at it. Great practice with @simonahalep,” sent a strong signal that the Kazakh player is refocused and gearing up for the end-of-season showdown. The practice session with Halep represents a critical step for Rybakina after unsettling months.

Here is the video:

Elena Rybakina practicing with Simona Halep.

Can’t wait to see her back on court at the WTA Finals.

It’s been too long. 🇰🇿🩵

pic.twitter.com/L8nThlaOSZ

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 25, 2024

Following Rybakina’s departure from longtime coach Stefano Vukov, rumors circulated that she was taking time to decompress, especially after unexpectedly withdrawing from the US Open’s second round. The decision fueled concerns over her physical and mental readiness to compete at the top level. Ranked world No. 5, Rybakina had fans and analysts questioning her fitness for the Riyadh WTA Finals as November approached.

Will Rybakina be able to dominate the finals?

However, Kazakh Billie Jean King Cup team captain Yuri Schukin has alleviated many of those concerns. According to Schukin, Rybakina is in good form and mentally ready for the Finals, which will kick off on November 3rd. He further confirmed that she has been selected for Kazakhstan’s Billie Jean King Cup squad to face South Korea in mid-November, highlighting her commitment to representing her country.

Schukin’s confidence in Rybakina’s readiness adds an optimistic outlook for her supporters. He explained, “Elena is feeling good now, and if she can deliver a solid performance in Riyadh, she is keen to take part in the matches against South Korea.”

Despite her readiness, Rybakina faces an undeniable hurdle at the WTA Finals: a lack of recent match play. Having spent much of the past two months recuperating, she enters the Finals possibly fresher than her competitors but without the recent tournament rhythm. This rest advantage, however, may also leave her vulnerable as she will need to quickly reacclimate to high-stakes competition.