Tunisian third-placed Jabeur wanted to become the first Arab player to win a Grand Slam singles title, but Rybakina, who was born in Russia but has represented Kazakhstan since 2018, defeated her 3-6 6-2 6-2.
Rybakina changed her nationality years before the start of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, the fact that the tennis star was born, trained, educated and resident in Moscow meant Wimbledon “had the very image it was so desperate to avoid,” the Telegraph’s chief sports journalist said.
After Russian athletes were banned from Wimbledon as a result of the Vladimir-Putin war the dictator instigated at the end of February, pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge with Rybakina made “a mockery of Wimbledon’s Russia ban” and “cloaked in the darkest irony”, Oliver Braun wrote.
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He argued: “The moment was enough to evoke a despairing howl through the paneled corridors leading off from Center Court’s lawn.
“Wimbledon’s justification for the blanket exclusion of the Russians has always been to deny Putin any chance of a propaganda coup.
“However, this women’s final produced a photo opportunity that would have everyone at the Russian Embassy in London laughing out loud over their vodka glasses.”
A blunt Mr Brown added: “A champion made in Russia accepting the greatest prize in tennis from the future British queen?
“This was the Wimbledon result that was made into nightmares.”
He added: “Lena lives in Moscow, grew up here, became a player here.
“Congratulations to the royal family, they will have to reward the Russian native.”
Rybakina expressed her excitement at an “amazing” moment before meeting the Duchess.
She said: “It’s an honor and I’ll be really looking forward to this moment whether I win or lose.
“I think it’s just something to remember and it’s going to be amazing.”
Wearing an elegant yellow dress, the Duchess told Rybakina that she was playing “really well.”
Kate was spotted alongside Prince William and Prince George at the South London Club on Sunday for the men’s singles final between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios and is responsible for presenting the winners’ and runners-up trophies after the match.
Serbian Djokovic takes on Australian Kyrgios – the former a 20-time Grand Slam champion, the latter a Major singles finals debut.
Eight-year-old George appeared excited to take part in the championship, while his siblings, seven-year-old Princess Charlotte and four-year-old Prince Louis, were not taken.