THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 12, 2023

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/E. Rybakina

6-7, 6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for Elena Rybakina.

Elena, tough day today. Tell us how you're feeling right now.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, was really pity. Tough match today. But still I think it was really good two weeks for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. The crowd being more supportive of Ons today had any impact on you mentally or during the game?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Not really. I was not focusing so much on the crowd. Of course, I knew from before, as last year, there was more support for Ons.

It didn't change my mood or attitude towards the match.

Q. Ons talked a lot about how she changed her plan, tactics, for this match. Were you surprised at all about how aggressive she was? Quite different to this time last year when you won.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, for sure she was making better decisions from the court than last year, I would say. I also had a lot of opportunities this time, especially in the second set. I felt that my serve wasn't that great. I would say the percentage - I didn't see the statistics yet - but I think since it's my weapon and it was not working that well.

But definitely she was playing good today, especially in some important moments, so that made difference.

Q. Did you feel that Ons' approach to the game was more aggressive than the final last year? She seemed to be really going for it. Is that how you feel?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, I think she was returning really well. But, as I said, my percentage of the serve was not the greatest. Maybe I hit a few really powerful serves, but not good placement. Also I was not really changing direction.

Yeah, I mean, she returned really well few moments, and she was really stable and she was going for some shots. Definitely this match she was playing well, especially in important moments.

Q. Who do you think is the favorite now?

ELENA RYBAKINA: It's tough to say. But I think, I mean, Ons, she was playing really well - not only today, but other matches. I think it's going to be really tough tomorrow against Aryna. Aryna won, right?

THE MODERATOR: Yes.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Against Aryna.

I would say some of them.

Q. How did it feel going into the match knowing it was a replay of the final last year? Did that make it feel different?

ELENA RYBAKINA: It's actually didn't feel any different. It was, like, really by the schedule. Everything I did, like the old routines, I would say it's exactly the same like last year.

I knew it's going to be a tough match. I knew it's a lot about physics for me because she plays really good slices, she's aggressive, the ball stays really low over the net. I knew that I have to be there physically, well-prepared.

But I feel like it wasn't the case today. Some moments I play really well, but was not consistent. Since physically was not the greatest, then the wrong decisions came.

But, yeah, I mean, I feel like she played really well some moments.

Q. This was a new experience for you, being the defending, reigning champion at a major. How do you feel when you reflect on the last 10 days of this experience? What do you feel like you learned the most about yourself?

ELENA RYBAKINA: As I said from the beginning, it was kind of new challenge for me coming as a defending champion. It's of course different feeling.

Actually really proud of first few matches because it's not easy. I would say that every match I played was a little bit better than the other one.

I think no matter the result of today, it was a positive few weeks for me here. Yeah, I just need to work a little bit more now before the U.S. swing. I will take a lot of positive from these two weeks.

Q. Your box was full today. The Kazakhstan Tennis Federation team, your team, your full family. You said before you take a rest after Wimbledon. Any plans for vacation? What is the upcoming tournaments?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, the box was full actually from the beginning of the tournament, which I'm really happy. Also happy that my parents got the chance to watch me play live. Last year I wished they were there, but I think it was really nice experience for them to stay with the team all together, also. So really happy for that.

Yeah, I didn't think yet what we're going to do. Hopefully we take some rest all together, then again preparation.