ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL

January 8, 2022

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/M. Doi

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Talk us through the match, how it feels to be in the first final of the first tournament of the year.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, I'm very happy to be in the final. It's just start of the season and I feel more confidence, of course.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What do you think was the key today to get the win?

ELENA RYBAKINA: It was again the serve I think. I served really well in the end of the first set and then second set. She played fast also. I just started a bit slow, maybe like yesterday. I have to improve it today for sure. Yeah, that's it.

Q. Are you feeling as though with each match you've played in Adelaide that your level is improving at the speed you would like?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Some things, yeah, I feel improving. Some I can say that I'm feeling like super confidence. It's still the beginning of the year. Opponents also had very, like, different. It was lefty in the first round, then righty, different kind of games.

For sure it's just good that I'm playing so many matches now.

Q. Physically having to play the matches and get used to playing matches again, how is your body responding with the back-to-back matches, recovery time?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, for now physically I feel good. The preparation went well for now (smiling).

Yeah, physically I'm ready.

Q. Barty or Swiatek. You've played them each. Talk about each opponent, what the challenge is.

ELENA RYBAKINA: It's great to play both of them no matter what. Top players.

With Iga, we played last season in Ostrava. It was not an easy match. Also there I was sick the week before, so I can't say that physically I was ready there to play full. For now physically I feel good. It's just depending on my choices, my serve. Yeah, just try to bring tomorrow my best.

Against Ash, it's great to play against the No. 1 to see what you missing in your game maybe, what you need to improve. Of course, I believe that if I'm going to play my best tomorrow, I will fight, that I can win.

Q. If you play Ash tomorrow, what is the key for you to beat her?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Of course, to be solid on my service games, just play aggressive, attack, come forward. I think, yeah, it's just the key. It's not an easy opponent. Just try to do my best and enjoy.