AUSTRALIAN OPEN

February 1, 2026

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/A. Sabalenka

6-4, 4-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Elena, congratulations. Your second Grand Slam and your first here in Melbourne. Talk us through the emotions and how you're feeling right now straight after the match.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Thank you. Well, it's incredible achievement. Super happy and proud. It was really tough battle. Yeah, I didn't expect to turn it around. Got some opportunities.

Yeah, Aryna is a very tough opponent, but I'm super happy that this time I'm holding the trophy.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. That 2023 final, you played in similar conditions, you won the first set and then lost the second, but this time you won the third. How much does that sort of play in the motivation to get the win today?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, last time I was close, but Aryna played really well that match. I remember that she stepped in. She went for her shots. She was serving really well, and I think she was even risking a little bit because the second serve was going almost as first.

I knew that today if I get a chance to lead that I will need to try also kind of some risky shots and just go for it. Not definitely wait for any mistakes or even get to the long rallies.

Yeah, it is great, and again, it's amazing to hold this trophy this time.

Q. You're in incredible form right now. Do you feel basically unbeatable at the moment?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Not really. I mean, I just played in Brisbane. I lost the match there. I feel like throughout couple of weeks I improved, which is really nice.

Yeah, each match was different, but again, the serve was in the beginning not as good. The movement was not the same as today and semifinal match.

So I'm just very proud of the work we did with the team, and actually that I found my kind of best form here at the Grand Slam.

Q. I'm curious, last year obviously Stefano wasn't able to be at the tournament with you. This year he was on court getting a trophy in the ceremony. I'm just curious what your thoughts were on seeing that moment for him and for both of you and what it sort of means to you after what's gone on in the last year.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I didn't think anything particular, because we won many titles together, and even last year in Ningbo, WTA Finals, and now this trophy I felt just, again, proud and thankful to my team for the work.

I mean, we did good preparation. We had some ups and downs during the preseason, even beginning of this year, first tournament. So, yeah, I'm just super glad.

Again, I think it's a win for all the team, all the people who support me. I just hope that I can carry this moment throughout the whole season and keep on improving.

Q. Congratulations on a great tournament. Iga and Aryna have been the dominant players on tour now for several years. How satisfying is it to beat both of them to win this title and really do it the hard way?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Of course, they're tough opponents, and they have great results, and for so long they are at the top and it stable. I'm happy that now I'm getting back to this level, and hopefully I can be stable again throughout the whole season and keep on showing great tennis, good results.

Yeah, it's a lot of tough matches I had here. Yeah, I'm glad that the opportunities which I was getting during the match, I managed to take it and, yeah, win in the end.

Q. First of all, congratulations. You faced Sabalenka in 2023 final. What did you learn from the previous final that helped you win the match today?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I think, as I said, it was very close match in 2023. I felt that if I get my chances here that I need to maybe risk a little bit more and go for my shots.

Second set was very tough, as much as the first one, but I got a lead and the break early in the first set, so it kind of was easier, but then in the second it was very close. I didn't raise my level. She played well, and it was tough to come back in the third.

I'm happy that being down, I was able to calm myself down, not being frustrated anymore, and just focus on each point and stay closer to the score.

Q. The statistics tell us that you've won more matches than anyone on the women's tour since Wimbledon. Can you pinpoint one reason for that?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I didn't even know these statistics, to be honest. The reason, I mean, I've been playing well. Yeah, I have very aggressive style of the game, so I think that's definitely the key.

I don't know which other answer I can give you (smiling).

Q. You didn't change your diet or change your training methods or anything like that?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, we always, of course, adapt to how I feel, because the schedule is not easy for everyone, so you need to manage your body and, of course, some little injuries coming, so you need to constantly talk with your team and make different plans.

You might have couple plans, but then in the morning you wake up, and then it's complete different story. I think it's all about the communication and, yeah, having great people around you.

Q. Congratulations. Was there ever any time in the past four years since Wimbledon when you ever had any doubts that you would win your second slam, or were you always convinced that given that you are a top-10 player, that you have been kind of around, that this would happen for you?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I always believed that I can come back to the level I was. Of course, we all have ups and downs. Like I think everyone I thought or maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it's all about the work.

I think we've been putting a lot of work in with the team, and they were also very supportive. In the moments when I was maybe not that positive, they would be helping out on the side.

Of course, when you getting after some wins, big wins against top players, then you start to believe more, you get more confident. That was the kind of way.

Q. I want to talk about fun stuff. How are you going to treat yourself, and will you have some free time? What are the spots in Melbourne that you go? Is it beach, shopping, botanical garden?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I think we will not have so much time, unfortunately, here in Melbourne. We are leaving already tomorrow night, but I definitely want to celebrate with my team and then hopefully get to celebrate with my family.

I mean, we will see, but of course, I want to see something in Melbourne this time, and hopefully, yeah, we do something fun, but it's, again, how much time I will have.

Q. I just wonder, how did the emotions compare to when you won Wimbledon? Given the ups and downs you've had since then, is this one maybe even more satisfying?

ELENA RYBAKINA: It is different feelings, I will say, because Wimbledon was my first experience getting that far in the tournament, and I won straightaway.

I remember I was not sleeping well, semis, even quarters. Final I don't even talk, like, how many emotions and how many thoughts was going through my head. Yeah, it was really stressful, I will say, Wimbledon.

I think with the experience, with the years on tour, I learned a lot. Later on, of course, you have same emotions. You want to win, but it's kind of different. I was managing to sleep well here, and that's a good thing.

I mean, what's the worse thing can happen, which my coach always tells me, you lose, but then you get another opportunity to play next week. And we have so many slams yet, so I was kind of probably focused and not as stressed.

Q. You've won WTA Finals and now this tournament back-to-back, so two of the biggest tournaments on the tour, and you can play on every surface. You've had good results on every surface. I'm curious, do you think that you could be the best player in the world right now already and that No. 1 in the rankings could be coming soon for you as a goal?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, I have big goals. Of course, time will show, but definitely we will keep on working, and hopefully I achieve my goals.

Yeah, I'm going to keep on working. Let's see what's going to happen.