AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2023

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/D. Collins

6-2, 5-7, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Elena, well done today. Just talk us through the thoughts on the match, overcoming last year's Australian Open finalist, Danielle.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, it was really tough match. Super happy that I won because I knew that she's going to fight till the end. We already had tough battles between each other.

Yeah, I'm happy that in the third set I started really well and focused till the end.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How do you compare obviously the middle of last year, winning Wimbledon, how do you feel your form is comparing to then?

ELENA RYBAKINA: For sure now I think we did really good preparation and I'm feeling better, stronger. So hopefully I can continue like this.

Compared middle of the season, it was a bit tough for me because I was trying to play many tournaments, to catch up to the final eight, which I would say I didn't have good preparation for hard court season after Wimbledon.

So, yeah, definitely now I'm feeling much better.

Q. On today's match, you guys did have that tough one in Adelaide, I know the circumstances were kind of weird with the sun and stuff there, but were you kind of reminding yourself at the start of that third set today of how you had to play that final set to beat Collins?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, for sure. I remember the match in Adelaide. It was completely different situation. It was very tough first set for both of us with the shadow and sun. It was also first match. Wasn't easy.

But this time I think I played really well from the beginning till the end. It's just in the second set it was only one break. I think I rushed a bit in this last game of my serve.

In the end I knew that I have to start well the third set, which I did. It was couple, few games we played really long, and it was deuce, advantage. I think that was the main key, that I played well in these important moments.

Q. You're the Wimbledon champion. I think your first match at the US Open was on like Court 12 or something like that. You came here, this is your first match in a stadium. How do you feel about that? Is that strange for you or do you not care?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I honestly don't care because it wasn't easy after Wimbledon with the scheduling, of course, and everything.

But in the end I'm here to play tennis. I'm feeling good. So I'm super happy to get through to another match. Doesn't matter which court I'm going to play.

Q. Do you feel like today's match was the best match you've played this year so far?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yes, I think that this match was really solid from the beginning till the end. For now I'll say yes.

Q. Is there any advantage that the spotlight seems to be on other players rather than you, even though you won the most important title in this sport last year?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I guess it's a motivation to win even more. Maybe next time they're going to put me first match somewhere else, not the Court 13 (smiling).

As I said, it doesn't really matter. I just want to win as much as I can.

Q. Has there been any jokes or discussions with Stefano about potentially getting an Australian Open tattoo on his arm?

ELENA RYBAKINA: No. No. It was only one-time bet, and he said no chance he's going to do another one. Yeah, we see. Maybe he will change his mind (smiling).

Q. I've heard other people say that the conditions here really suit your game with the way the balls are playing, that it's an advantage for people who hit hard and flat like you do. Are you feeling that level of comfort? Do you share that view?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I think that conditions here really unpredictable because it's also depends a lot on the balls. Well, if they say so, is good, so we see how it's going to go.

For sure it's not easy I think for everybody if we talk about the weather condition.

Q. What do you make of Iga as a player? When you watch her, if you have watched her matches over the last year, do you see that you can bother her? How do your games kind of stack up?

ELENA RYBAKINA: For sure she's very strong physically and mentally. I think that if I'm going to play my game, aggressive, I'm going to be solid from the beginning till the end, I have all the chances.

I'm going to try to do my best.

Q. Frances Tiafoe said the other day that anyone who says that they don't look at the draw is lying. You said on the court, I never look at the draw, I didn't know who is next. Do you really not look at the draw?

ELENA RYBAKINA: No, it's not always. It was just this time because, to be honest, we came from Adelaide and I found out the draw there. My coaches told me. I know in the beginning the draw is so huge. I don't really care.

Like for me it's important to know the opponent. This time till the end I honestly didn't see the draw. So just my coach telling me after.

Q. On speaking about facing Iga, is it a situation where you find out you're playing Iga and you're like, Oh, man, in the fourth round of a slam, that's a tough draw, or is it something that makes you excited to face her in the form that she's in?

ELENA RYBAKINA: To be honest, it doesn't matter which round I play because I think Iga is a great player. No matter what, the goal is to beat the top players. If it's first, second round, the goal is to improve throughout the year. The year is actually long.

Yeah, I think that it's going to be tough match. Hopefully it's going to go my way.