INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 19, 2023

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/J. Ostapenko

6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Elena, another WTA 1000 final. How do you feel about your performance today?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, happy to win today. Was really tough day overall with all the rain delays. Yeah, just happy to be in the final.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You were down 4-1 in the second set. How did you think you managed that comeback? What was the key to it?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, I didn't start that well the second set. A bit low in energy. Lost my serve. So it was difficult. Then few good shots from her, good serves. It changed very quick.

The same time, I knew it's only one break and I just need to be focused and fight for every ball because you never know, either you get the winner or it's going to be some mistake.

Yeah, I just tried to focus on every point, yeah, got the break back, served really well after.

Q. Did you get any specific advice from your coach during the rain delay?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, actually he said that I was doing everything good. I played really well. It's just maybe two mistakes and it was this break. She played well also. So it was difficult, like, to judge.

He just also told me to be focused, bring a bit more energy. In the first set, I think on my serve, it was long game. There my energy was dropping a bit.

So, yeah, just be focused, especially on the first few balls, since it's not really long rallies, and we both playing aggressive.

Q. Can you tell us how you developed such a great serve? Did you model it after anybody in particular?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Not really. I always had big shots. Serve also. Just now it's getting more consistent. We try to work a little bit still on technique, some little details which can help with the speed also.

Yeah, I cannot say it's like something specific and we stay a lot of hours on the serve, but it was some changes and we keep on trying to find even better motion for me.

Q. Four finals, big finals, this year now. What do you think has been the key to being able to have that consistency? I'm curious whether or not you think you've been consistent this year or you don't?

ELENA RYBAKINA: No, I think of course I'm more consistent. There is still a lot of things to improve. But, yeah, I'm happy that physically I can maintain and stay so long in the tournament till the end.

Yeah, I think it's just overall all the years of experience and also adapting. Like I know the places where I go, so it's a little bit easier. Also preparation with the team. The team is bigger this year especially. I have fitness coach with me a lot of tournaments. Physio, coach always with me.

Yeah, I think it's always just good work which we did.

Q. You said you were good friends with Anhelina. Do you spend a lot of time together off the court, do anything particular?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Not really. I think not one player can spend a lot of time with another one. She's really good person. Actually she used to work with my coach.

Yeah, we just have good relationship. I always, like, cheering for her also. Same, whenever I win, she's always supporting. We have good relationship.

Yeah, I'm happy that we're going to play final.

Q. You came into this tournament with pretty low expectation or no expectations. Now you have a final, a potential to win a big clay title. How much changes for you 24 hours ahead of the final?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, of course since it's a final, I try to give everything what I have. Yeah, I came without any expectation because I knew the other years were really tough for me coming and play here.

Maybe for some people rain is not good. I guess for my allergy it went the other way. It's helping me a bit to feel better here. Yeah, I'm just happy that I got so many matches now before French Open. Also I think it's important.

Yeah, tomorrow I just try to do my best. Yeah, hopefully I can win it.