THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 6, 2022

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/A. Tomljanovic

4-6, 6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Elena, give us your thoughts on being in the semifinal.

ELENA RYBAKINA: I'm very happy with my performance, happy to be in the semis. Just, yeah, very happy.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You mentioned how happy you are to be in the semifinals. What do you envision it will be like for you when you step on the court to play the semifinal?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I'm just going to try to do my best, try to enjoy because, I mean, I'm playing against a great champion. We had tough battles before.

I hope that I can show my best and is going to go my way.

Q. How would you describe your journey to this point?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Good matches. I think I did my best, as I said. I wasn't in the greatest physical conditions, didn't have good preparation. But overall I think I did my best.

It's just for me still keep improving, working. Tomorrow I just try to enjoy.

Q. Even though you said you are very happy when you won today, you seemed very calm. I didn't see big emotion from you when you won today. What went through your mind when you won today?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I'm just very calm person. I'm not showing my emotions. It's been always like this.

Of course, I'm full of emotions inside. I just know that I have a match tomorrow, so I'm just trying to focus, forget already what happened now and just keep preparing for the next match.

Q. I believe you've talked about it in the past, but I was wondering how uncertain were things after you finished school and wanted to start on the tour? Did you have some financial issues, you thought about going to college?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yes, of course you always doubt if you going to be professional or not because I was finishing school and I was going actually every day when I was home. It was not an easy decision because, of course, financially it's difficult. It's a very expensive sport.

Like all the parents, my parents, they were worried if something happens, if you get injured, of course you want your kid to study and not to risk.

But I think we made a good choice. I'm very happy that I'm playing now.

Q. Was it a difficult decision? When Kazakhstan approached you, was that a difficult decision?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I think it was very good timing because they were looking for the player. I was looking for some help. They believed in me. So I think it was very good combination. We just find each other.

Q. How do you think the move from Russia to Kazakhstan helped your tennis?

ELENA RYBAKINA: They believed in me. They made everything possible for me to keep playing, keep improving. I had all the conditions to practice and everything. Of course, it helped a lot.

They are still helping and supporting me. I'm really happy that I'm representing Kazakhstan already for long time.

Q. Do you feel Kazak or Russian, or how do you feel?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I mean, it's tough question. I was born in Russia, but of course I am representing Kazakhstan. It's already a long journey for me. I was playing Olympics, Fed Cup before. I got so much help and support. I'm feeling just the support of the people and very happy to represent Kazakhstan because I think I'm also bringing some results, which are very good for the sport in Kazakhstan.

Yeah, for me it's tough question just to say exactly what I feel.

Q. I read in an article when you were young you were doing gymnastics and figure skating. Were you six years old? Is your parents also maybe tall?

ELENA RYBAKINA: No, my parents, they are not super tall. I think I am even taller than my dad.

Yes, I did gymnastics and ice skating when I was little with my sister three, four years. But for these sports I was too tall already. They told me from the beginning.

Yeah, my dad tried for me to learn some different sports and do some different things.

Q. You spoke before about the advantage you have with your height. You're much taller than Simona Halep. What are your thoughts about what you have that can help you against her this time and what have been the keys to the matches so far?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I think that the key, of course, is my serve, aggressive game. She's a great champion. She's moving really well, reading the game. I just try to do my best, focus on things which I can control: my serve, my shots, emotions.

Also you got quite nervous if you up, down. No matter what's happening, just to stay calm, keep playing point by point.

Q. When Wimbledon announced that Russians and Belarusians couldn't play, was there any concern from myself? Obviously you was born in Russia.

ELENA RYBAKINA: I mean, when I heard this, this is not something you want to hear because we are playing sport. Everybody wants to compete. They were not choosing where they born.

Of course, I feel it for them because everybody wants to compete at the biggest tournament, at Wimbledon. Yeah, just hope that next year is going to be back to normal.

Q. I appreciate it's tricky for yourself. It's really a horrendous time in Ukraine. Given the platform you have here, you're hoping that will eventually come to an end and there will be peace in Ukraine.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Of course, I agree. I just want the war to end as soon as possible. Peace, yeah.

Q. The last two times you played Simona were super close matches which you could have won. What did you learn from those matches? Does it motivate you this time?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, was very tough matches. I remember in Dubai I lost in the tiebreak, very close. At the US Open also, there I was a bit injured. In the end I just know that I have to play till the end because she's great fighter. No matter the score, just keep focusing on my game, on my plan. Just be more stable and also confident in some moments.