QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 15, 2024

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/L. Fernandez

6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. Into another semifinal this year. Can you just give us your thoughts on the match today and your performance.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Thank you. Yeah, it was tough match against Leylah. She's very good player, lefty, tricky one. Didn't start the match that well, but in the end found my way in the first set and happy to win in two.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You have had already a good start of season. Two tournaments already won. With the black hole of Melbourne, what happened in Australia?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, yeah, as you said, I start really well in Australia, and then tennis unfortunately is tough sport. You can wake up with some problems. This what happen in Melbourne with me. After Melbourne, I needed also, like, 10 days to feel better. I didn't play.

So, I mean, it's tennis. Of course I was aiming for Grand Slam, but it is what it is. I'm happy with the way I play now, how I feel on the court. So I have some other slams this year and a lot of opportunities.

Q. I wanted to ask you about the conditions today. How difficult was it, the wind? What did it take to, you know, control it and play your game?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, today was quite windy compared other days. I didn't start with my serve well, and it was not easy to adjust. But as I said, really happy that after, I found my way, and also started to return and be better.

Was not easy to adjust, but I played in Abu Dhabi, it was quite windy also there. It helped me a little bit to adapt quicker here.

Q. Do you see yourself as No. 1 in this year or next?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, of course I wish is gonna happen one day, but still too early to say anything.

I'm really happy with the way I play now. I think it's still not my best, and there is a lot of things to improve for me. Hopefully it's gonna happen if not this year, next year. So for sure it's my goal.

Q. Is there big three or big four or big five in women tennis now?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I have no idea. I'm not person who should judge on that. I think there is a lot of good players. Only with time I think we can make some conclusions.

Q. You have won on grass, on clay, on hard courts, but the match of the life, where do you choose to play?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I don't know. I think that's the beauty of the sport, that we have different surfaces. For now the biggest win I had on grass, so I would say grass for now. I'm happy to play on any surface (smiling).

Q. When you play, you hardly show your emotions but you smile. Who is really Elena Rybakina?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, real Elena Rybakina I think only my parents and my friends know (smiling). Of course on the match I'm trying to show not much emotions because it's not only about being happy and winning the matches; it's also try to not show frustrations. So for me I guess it's the easiest way to stay calm.

I'm calm outside of the court also, but maybe with time I will show more emotions. We see. I don't know (smiling).