THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 4, 2026

Elise Mertens

Press Conference

E. MERTENS/E. Rybakina

7-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Elise, congratulations on your result today. Do you want to give us some initial thoughts on the match.

ELISE MERTENS: Yeah, no, it's a beautiful court to play at. I had some great memories already from last year there, too. So some good energy.

Yeah, I mean, she's a tough opponent. I mean, the history is on her side here. No, I'm very pleased about the performance. Very happy that I could eventually win that first set. I mean, it was a little bit up and down at the end. Close it out with a good serve.

Yeah, I think I had the momentum there. I know I had to keep my focus, especially at the beginning of the second set. But yeah, really wanted to win. Really had the fire in me today.

I think, yeah, I'm happy that I could close it out eventually on that 5-1 with another good serve.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Talk us through what happened after the tiebreak in the first set. Did that give you the confidence and edge to dominate the second set?

ELISE MERTENS: Yeah, definitely. I think especially against a player like her, to win a first set against her, yeah, I think I really took the momentum there. I was saying to myself, Okay, she has to win another two to win this one. I really kept on believing in myself. I think that was the key today.

Yeah, I did well. I raised my level a little bit. I didn't make any silly mistakes - or not too many.

Yeah, really happy today, of course.

Q. Some wins matter more than others, depending the stage of the career. For you right now, what does this one mean?

ELISE MERTENS: Yeah, definitely one of my most memorable wins, especially against her here at Wimbledon.

But also, yeah, I never had the fourth round to defend. Looking back on my previous results on grass this year, it was a little bit of a mixed feelings.

But yeah, I really grew into the match. Also especially my last match, also grew into that match. That gave me a little bit of confidence.

I soaked it all in today on Court 1. It's a beautiful court to play at.

Q. Based on your personal performance in singles, do you think this is closer or even as good as how you were playing when you had your highest ranking in 2018?

ELISE MERTENS: It's difficult to say. I mean, tennis has evolved quite a bit. A lot of hard hitters on tour, of course, last couple of years, too. But I feel like the level maybe is a bit closer than it used to be. You can see that in the rankings and the results, too.

I don't know. You tell me (smiling). It's hard to say. I always try to improve still. That's just who I am, try to improve every day, every week.

I think tennis always has new chances.

Q. Did you change anything at all since Melbourne? Maybe the slice? Is it a better surface for you to play on?

ELISE MERTENS: Yeah, maybe. I think in Melbourne, it was difficult to do anything against her. She eventually won that tournament. She won the Grand Slam there. I was like, Okay, I lost against her there.

I lost against second round against someone who played the finals in French Open. I was like, Okay, let's go now.

But I think I was more steady, more ready for the bigger shots from her. I think I moved well today. Neutralized the ball a little bit better than at the beginning of the year. I think, yeah, I made it more difficult for her.