Kim Clijsters has noticed a major change in Elena Rybakina this year as she becomes world number one

Elena Rybakina won her second Grand Slam of the year at the US Open, becoming world number one in the process.

The Kazakhstani had won one major title before 2026, before tripling her tally in a career-best year.

Tennis legend Kim Clijsters has now identified the big change she’s seen in Rybakina this season.

During the latest episode of the ‘Love All Podcast‘, Clijsters said the following.

“To me, what I noticed first is that she looks fitter; she moves better. She was always a great ball striker. She’s somebody who, when you’re standing across the net from her, hits the ball so hard, flat, deep, consistently. It’s very hard; it’s like you’re being targeted,” said Clijsters.

“It’s very hard to get out from under that unless you have the same amount of power, but you can do it earlier than her. I feel like she moves better; I think also her legs look stronger; I think she is a little quicker on her feet.

“I don’t mean it in a way like all of a sudden she’s going to be able to defend like Coco Gauff does. But I think it puts her in a position where she’s able to play her best tennis more frequently, for three sets at a time, seven matches in a row, because she’s fitter.”

Clijsters also noted Rybakina’s serving improvements, but insisted her fitness has played a bigger role in the success she’s enjoyed in 2026.

“She needs to be behind the ball and able to hit the ball in that sweet spot right in front of her, and the fitter you are, the faster you are able to make adjustments, and to me, that’s where the difference lies in her game that I’ve noticed,” she said.

“Yes, she’s improving her serve. Percentages were good, maybe a little higher than a year ago or longer. But in general, to me, it’s her physical strength that has improved the most.”

Rybakina’s serving numbers haven’t noticeably improved over the last 12 months. If anything, she’s regressed in several areas.

• Aces – 516 (1st on WTA Tour)

• Double faults – 222 (15th on WTA Tour)

• 1st Serve % – 57.7% (261st on WTA Tour)

• Win % on 1st Serve – 74.6% (1st on WTA Tour)

• 2nd Serve % – 50.6% (20th on WTA Tour)

• Win % of Service points – 64.4% (2nd on WTA Tour)

• Break points saved % – 65.4% (22nd on WTA Tour)

• Service games win % – 82.5% (2nd on WTA Tour)

Double faults – 222 (15th on WTA Tour)

1st Serve % – 57.7% (261st on WTA Tour)

Win % on 1st Serve – 74.6% (1st on WTA Tour)

2nd Serve % – 50.6% (20th on WTA Tour)

Win % of Service points – 64.4% (2nd on WTA Tour)

Break points saved % – 65.4% (22nd on WTA Tour)

Service games win % – 82.5% (2nd on WTA Tour)

• Aces – 411 (1st on WTA Tour)

• Double faults – 177 (20th on WTA Tour)

• 1st Serve % – 57.3% (236th on WTA Tour)

• Win % on 1st Serve – 74.1% (4th on WTA Tour)

• 2nd Serve % – 51.3% (16th on WTA Tour)

• Win % of Service points – 64.4% (2nd on WTA Tour)

• Break points saved % – 65.2% (10th on WTA Tour)

• Service games win % – 82.5% (2nd on WTA Tour)

Double faults – 177 (20th on WTA Tour)

1st Serve % – 57.3% (236th on WTA Tour)

Win % on 1st Serve – 74.1% (4th on WTA Tour)

2nd Serve % – 51.3% (16th on WTA Tour)

Win % of Service points – 64.4% (2nd on WTA Tour)

Break points saved % – 65.2% (10th on WTA Tour)

Service games win % – 82.5% (2nd on WTA Tour)

But she is certainly fitter than she was, allowing her to compete match after match and challenge for Grand Slam titles.

Rybakina’s fitness and durability were once her greatest weaknesses. The Kazakhstani suffered from various illnesses that caused her to withdraw from WTA events. Even this year, Rybakina retired from a match at the Dubai Tennis Championship due to illness.

But for the most part, her fitness has improved. And in doing so, she’s become the greatest player in the world. The 27-year-old is now the number one player in women’s tennis, and a favourite for most tournaments she enters.

She’ll have more chances to win titles this year; the first will come at the China Open in Beijing. Then, she’ll attend the Wuhan Open and the WTA Finals in California.

But first, Rybakina will team up with her countrywomen at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in China, which begin on Tuesday, September 22.