AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2026

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/K. Juvan

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Elena, how does it feel to get that one under your belt, get the tournament underway?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Happy with the win. Of course, first match is always tough. I'm happy with the way I served, since the previous tournament it was not the case.

Yeah, there is, of course, a lot of things to work on. Hopefully my next match is going to be even better.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You just mentioned how you felt that your serve improved. What did you touch up on in the week leading into AO?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, we've been working on the serve since, as I said, it was not really well in the past tournament. Now I think today it worked. Hopefully it's going to be throughout the whole tournament the same way.

Of course, it was another detail which we had to work on. Some things worked. Today something not. I think first matches are always tough also to start the tournament.

Yeah, I'm just hoping that with day in between, I will manage to improve a little bit and show it on the court.

Q. You're undefeated in your first-round matches here in Melbourne. Why do you think you're a little bit nervous? Is it the anticipation of a Grand Slam? What brings those nerves?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I think I waited quite long to finally play here. I'm glad that it was a bit more than a week to prepare, to work on things.

I feel like also the conditions, the week before was a little bit colder. Now it's quite hot. You need to adapt. The balls are flying a lot. Now you know the courts, how it is on the matches.

Of course, the practice match which I did with Jasmine also helped. Again, it was colder. Now when you're in the tournament, I feel like it's mentally probably a little bit easier.

Q. You were saying on the return you weren't happy during the match. How do you approach the return game when things aren't going your way?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I tried to change position. Of course, the coaches were trying to also give me some advices.

Sometimes Kaja was serving maybe not as fast but with a good angle, so it was not easy for me. When you have your, let's say, own rhythm and something is not working, for me it took too long to adjust, I would say.

But I'm happy in the end that I started to return better and the things went my way. I feel it is very difficult to play perfect match. Of course, something is going to be worse. Today it was return. But then the serve was good. There is positives, of course, from this match.

Q. What were your thoughts on the 1 Point Slam?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I think it's a nice event. I'm very happy that in the end not professional won it. I think it's really cool. It was fun to see all the players getting nervous because they have only one serve, it's only one point.

I think it's a great event. I hope we will see more like this in the other tournaments.

Q. A lot of players when they would typically in a traditional match want to serve first, they have been receiving. Given how dynamic your serve is, would you want to serve? What would be your strategy?

ELENA RYBAKINA: In 1 Point Slam I feel like, of course, you don't want to risk it, just give a chance to other person to serve. They miss or he makes it. If I would win this game I would probably choose the return.

But I served and it was fine. Yeah, most of the players were choosing return.

Q. What are your thoughts about playing Gracheva in the second round?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, we played before. I think she's a dangerous player. She can play really well on the baseline. She can get good serves.

I think the most important thing to focus on my game. Of course on the serve because no matter who is on the other side, if the serve is going, then it's perfect. Of course, little things on the serve. Maybe adjust. Be better in the first few shots of the rally, then we will see how it's going to go.