MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

April 1, 2023

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

P. KVITOVA/E. Rybakina

7-6, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Elena, a very competitive, tough match, especially that first set. Just talk us through your thoughts on today's final.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, was really tough first set, and I think it made a big difference starting the second set.

Yeah, just happy with two weeks overall. Not so happy with the second set of course, but I think it's still positive one month here in U.S.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. That first-set tiebreaker, after you lose it, what's going your mind? What were you feeling at that moment after losing it?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I think I had some chances in the first set obviously, and I would say that again the start was not the greatest from me. It was a bit slow start.

It took me time to get used to Petra's balls. Also, she plays really low, and it's not easy against her. And also to try to read the serves, she's lefty, so it's already kind of advantage, because last match I played with a righty, so it was not easy. And she played really well.

The second set I think overall it was not easy after the first set. I think second she was also more free to hit, to maybe risk a bit more. Yeah, I think that in the second I just didn't stay disciplined and was a bit rushing.

Q. After the amount of tennis you have played over the last four weeks, was there an element of feeling a bit tired today, as well? And have you had a drip put in your arm?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Sorry, what?

Q. Did you have like a drip? Is that a needle?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Antidoping, guys. Relax (smiling).

Yeah, of course I was feeling tired, actually since Indian Wells, I would say. Just tried to push myself in the final. Gave everything I had.

Yeah, maybe if the first set would have gone my way it would have been different, the second, but of course because I was physically a bit tired, I think that's why I didn't have discipline in the important moments. I was also making some stupid decisions on the court, so I think just overall, but Petra played well. Hopefully next time it's gonna go my way.

Q. After this run, after this entire year really, and Wimbledon of course, what is your mindset in terms of what you're thinking about this spring and what you can accomplish versus a year ago when you were going back to Europe?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I think that every match I play it's an experience, and one year, it's a lot. Now the goal is still, as I said, to be healthy, because when even you play that good these two weeks, you never know how you're gonna come out on clay and you need to do good preparation also there. That's the most important.

Yeah, after so many matches, I feel confidence is just, yeah, as I said, to try to do good preparation. I won't say that there is again a lot of time, but that's a good problem to have (smiling).

Yeah, just keep on fighting, keep on working on the technique, physique, and a lot of aspects of my game.

Q. A great month for you. Just looking ahead to the clay court season, how confident are you that you will be just as dangerous during the clay season as you have been on the hard courts to start the year?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I think I had good results in the past on clay. I think that I can play good on clay. So that's the question is just again being healthy and staying motivated, which is also important. Because when you play so many tournaments, it's not easy traveling all the time, so sometimes switch to something else.

That's why my sister is here. She's helping out a bit so it's not only tennis all the time (smiling). Yeah, just to try to do this good preparation. I don't have much time, but I think we still can do some good week.

Q. As the Wimbledon champion, what did you think of yesterday's news about Russian and Belarusian players?

ELENA RYBAKINA: What are the news? Because I didn't see.

Q. They said that Russian and Belarusian players will be able to play Wimbledon this year.

ELENA RYBAKINA: I mean, they have been playing like this for all the tournaments, so it was only Grand Slam they were not allowed, so I think that's the way that they are playing without any flags. I think it's right decision, I guess.

Q. You have Billie Jean King Cup in two or three weeks, Kazakhstan against Poland on clay. Speaking of the tie, what are your expectations? No Iga. How tough it will be without Iga for you?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I didn't know that Iga is not coming, but for sure it's gonna be tough since it's gonna be first matches on clay, and there is good girls from Poland. We see how it's gonna go, but for sure it's not gonna be easy.

Q. Will you stick to your plans? Are you 100% to play there?

ELENA RYBAKINA: As of today, yes, I'm going (smiling).

Q. You have had a 13-match win streak. I think Aryna also had a 13-match win streak. Last year we saw obviously Iga do her thing. What is the toughest thing about maintaining a streak? Is it pressure? Is it just maintaining level? Fatigue? What's been the trickiest part of winning all the time and trying to keep winning?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I mean, I think Iga's streak was the longest, which I remember, and it's not easy at all. Obviously it's gonna come the day you're gonna lose, so I don't really count on that.

But of course it's not easy with the -- I would say that it's mostly physically just because you travel a lot and the conditions are changing all the time. I think, yeah, that's the main.