Millionaire Gen Z tennis star Elena Rybakina turned down 15 colleges to keep playing tennis—against her dad’s wishes. Now she’s no. 1 in the world

Elena Rybakina won the U.S.

Open women’s singles tournament last week, defeating reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka in the final face-off.

Now, the 27-year-old is ranked the number one female player in the world.

But just 10 years ago, the Moscow-born Gen Zer was at a crossroads: go to college, or stay focused on her career as a tennis player.

Even defying her father’s wishes for her to stay in education.

“I finished school and I had to decide if I should go to college,” the U.S.

Open champion told the Women’s Tennis Association in 2020.

“My dad wanted me to go to college because he was worried.

He saw the results, but it was difficult for us financially.

It’s not easy.

Like every parent, he was worried if I got injured.” Plus, her father reasoned that she could get a “better education” abroad.

“I had offers to universities in America, but I didn’t even think about it because I wanted to keep playing.

I had like 15 offers.

My dad really wanted me to go.” Ultimately, Rybakina chose the uncertainty of professional tennis over the security of a college education—and that decision set her on a path that would eventually make her a three-time Grand Slam champion, scoring 14 singles titles across 10 countries.