ROLAND GARROS

May 26, 2025

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/J. Riera

6-1, 4-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Elena, a tough, tricky match today. How happy are you to get that first win under your belt?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, really tough match. Super happy, of course, to win it. Looking forward to the next one.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How is feeling to be back to Paris? You didn't train yesterday because you just arrived. Does it affect on your, how to say, today's game? Because you had troubles in the second set.

ELENA RYBAKINA: I actually did practice yesterday. Of course, it's maybe not so much time I had to prepare exactly on these courts. But I'm happy that I played Strasbourg, I won the tournament.

Today was difficult opponent. I had opportunities to maybe finish it in two sets, but she played well. I started to make some unforced errors. We went into the third one.

After, it was just a fight. I'm happy that in the end it went my way.

Q. What did winning Strasbourg do for your confidence? How did it change? What did it make you remember winning your first tournament in such a long time?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, definitely it gives some confidence. I was looking to play some more matches in a row. I'm happy that it happened right before French Open.

The most important that I felt physically after all these matches well. I think it was a good preparation to come here.

Q. Were you surprised that everything clicked or had you been feeling good, like you could win a few matches in a row?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, of course it is different from the match I played in Rome. There I think it was one of my worst performance. But overall we've been doing some work with the team. I think just it takes time to get back to where I was to have this confidence, to feel great on the court physically.

I think slowly I'm going to the right direction.

Q. How tricky is it when you do have a tight one like that so close before a Grand Slam to then lift yourself again?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, tough matches can happen no matter if you play the tournament before or not, especially first ones. They're always tough.

I didn't know my opponent today. We never played before. For me, I think it was important to go there, to play some matches. It all depends on the situation. Usually I prefer to maybe practice more. Since I didn't get a lot of matches, we decided to go there. I think it was the right one.

Q. How are the conditions here compared to Strasbourg?

ELENA RYBAKINA: It is similar. I mean, the same balls. But today I think it was a little bit colder. A bit different. But I cannot say much. I think it's very similar.

Q. You have a new physio. You have improvements in physio, your game, movement.

ELENA RYBAKINA: New is not physio. Fitness coach. Yeah, we've been working for little bit. Of course, it's not the same. It not pre-season when I have so much time. Definitely we did some work. I think it's getting better. I'm getting stronger. Hopefully it's going to be only better and better.

Q. On the tour we see you have newcomers, young tennis players. Next round I think you are playing the junior who you met at Australian Open. Which of the young tennis players you think has a same style similar to yours?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Who?

Q. This is a question among the tennis, new tennis players.

THE MODERATOR: Is there a tennis player that is new that has a similar playing style to yours?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I think there is some. I just don't remember the name because we never played. I'm sure a lot of new girls are coming up. Some of them maybe likes to run more, someone is more aggressive. I can't name now.

Q. Why do you think your game works well both on clay and a fast court like grass, all courts really?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I think the courts, I play aggressive. I prefer maybe a bit faster courts. Even here on clay, I think my serve can work well. Maybe not today. It does give some advantage.

Just aggressive style of the game I think on clay is also something which is important. I can try to come to the net more, try to finish the rally, but the same time I need to stay more patient.

Overall I think it's just the aggressive style. Again, if I'm physically ready, I'm moving well, it doesn't matter on which surface I play.