Born in Russia, made in Kazakhstan: Rybakina wins Wimbledon title

Born in Moscow but representing Kazakhstan, Elena Rybakina was crowned Wimbledon champion on Saturday at a tournament where her Russian compatriots were all banned.

. Players from Russia and Belarus were prevented from competing at the All England Club after the invasion of Ukraine -- including stars such as men's world number one Daniil Medvedev and two-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka.

. However, there were still plenty of Russians playing on the famous grass courts over the past two weeks who had switched allegiance to neighbouring Kazakhstan.

. Rybakina, who defeated Ons Jabeur in three sets in Saturday's final, opted to play under the Kazakh flag in 2018 when she was struggling at 175 in the world.

. Also Read | Five unlikely Wimbledon finalists

. Four years on, the 23-year-old is Kazakhstan's first Grand Slam champion and $2.4 million better off.

. The shy, six feet tall (1.84 metre) Rybakina has grown tired, however, of fending off questions over her nationality.

. "I'm playing for Kazakhstan for a long time. I'm really happy representing Kazakhstan," the world number 23 said after seeing off former champion Simona Halep in the semi-finals.

. "They believed in me. There is no more question about how I feel. It's already a long time my journey as a Kazakh player."

. Rybakina opted not to discuss how much time she spends in Moscow, saying she trains in Slovakia and Dubai when not on tour.

. "So I don't live anywhere, to be honest," added Rybakina, whose parents live in the Russian capital.

. Also Read | Wimbledon 2022: Taylor Fritz beats Kubler to reach maiden quarters

. Rybakina is the Kazakhstan number one ahead of Yulia Putintseva, ranked at 33 and a three-time quarter-finalist at the majors. Putintseva was also born in Moscow.

. Kazakhstan's top three men are also from Russia -- Alexander Bublik, Dmitry Popko and Mikhail Kukushkin.

. Bublik made the third round at Wimbledon this year, equalling his best run at the tournament.

. Kukushkin, now 34, was one of the original border crossers, switching to Kazakhstan in 2008.

. "At that time I was around 150 in the world and I was struggling," he said.

. "I was not in good shape in that moment, but I knew that I could play better, much better and I can get to the other level.

. "But I didn't have any opportunity for that. Unfortunately in Russia nobody was interested in me. Kazakhstan came to me and they provided everything -- practice conditions, coaches."

. The road from Russia to Kazakhstan has been facilitated by the long-standing president of the Kazakhstan tennis federation, Bulat Utemuratov.

. According to Forbes, the businessman has a personal fortune of $2.5 billion.

. Utemuratov was in Rybakina's box on Saturday to see his investment paying off and witness the player receiving the trophy from the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William's wife Kate.

. On the international team level, Kazakhstan's most successful player in the women's Billie Jean King Cup is Galina Voskoboeva, born in Moscow.

. Team captain is Yaroslava Shvedova, also a native of the Russian capital.

. In the Davis Cup men's competition Kazakhstan are ranked in the top 10, reaching the quarter-finals multiple times in recent years.

. Georgia also benefited from a new recruit at Wimbledon when Natela Dzalamidze switched from Russia on the eve of the tournament to boost her dreams of taking part in the Olympics.

. The 29-year-old has a Georgian father and Russian mother. Both still live in Moscow.

. However, she insisted that as a holder of two passports, the switch of loyalty was already in her plans with the 2024 Olympics in Paris looming.

. "I was thinking of doing it by the end of the year. It was not like I was applying for a new passport -- I have had a Georgian passport for a long time," Dzalamidze told AFP.

. "But Russian players are banned and I thought 'why do I have to lose an opportunity to compete here?' I am 29 now. How many more years am I going to play tennis?"

. Ranked at 45 in doubles by the WTA, Dzalamidze and her Serbian partner Aleksandra Krunic were defeated in the second round at Wimbledon.

. Born in Russia, made in Kazakhstan: Rybakina wins Wimbledon title Born in Russia, made in Kazakhstan: Rybakina wins Wimbledon title

. London, July 9, 2022 (AFP) - Born in Moscow but representing Kazakhstan, Elena Rybakina was crowned Wimbledon champion on Saturday at a tournament where her Russian compatriots were all banned.