ROLAND GARROS

May 26, 2023

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome back to Roland Garros. How has your preparations been since winning the Rome final just a couple weeks ago?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, it was good. I had a few days off, and I enjoyed a bit Paris, one day in Rome also. Yeah, been practicing for few days. Everything is going well.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. I was just wondering, you're finally a top-5 player. Does that bring more confidence or more pressure or both?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I don't think about the rankings so much. Of course it's nice to see the progress also with the ranking, but I have been playing well I think last year also, and now I'm just getting a bit more consistent, doing good job with the team.

I just want to keep on going like this, and we see how far I can go this year.

Q. Clearly you have a game that works on all surfaces, but I'm curious what adjustments in particular you make that bring out your best on clay.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, on clay I think I won my first WTA, so since then I knew that I can play good on clay also. Just I need to prepare differently. Maybe I need more time for the preparation. And also experience for the past few years.

Yeah, overall I think that I'm improving a lot physically, and also I played a lot of matches this year. No matter the surface, I feel like it's anyway giving me confidence.

Yeah, overall we're trying to improve all the aspects of the game and slowly, I think it's a lot still to work, but everything is going on the right direction.

Q. You beat Serena here a couple years ago at this tournament. Curious what you remember about that match and if you feel that changed anything for you going forward.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I just remember, it's really nice memories when I played against Serena. And as I said, back then it was also my best result on a Grand Slam. I made it to the second week. Also giving me confidence that I can play good on clay.

Yeah, just happy to be back and hopefully I'm gonna go far here too.

Q. I'm just curious what you make of the current state of women's tennis. It really feels like you, Iga, and Aryna have put yourself a step above the rest of the field, if you feel that way, if you feel that way in the locker room, how that changes things for you.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I don't feel it as much. I realize it when someone is talking and asking about this. But of course we did good in the beginning until now, but I feel like there is a lot of players who have been consistent. Still this Grand Slam and we have two more, the year is long. Yeah, we just see how it's gonna go, but hopefully I can continue like this, for sure.

Q. To sort of follow up on that, do you feel like you are developing strong rivalries with those two players, Iga and Aryna?

ELENA RYBAKINA: For now, yes, I would say just because of the results. But yeah, and I think we kind of pushing each other. So yeah, I will say yes, of course.

Q. What do you make of Paris as a city and if there is anything special you like to do when you're here?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, usually I don't go so much during the tournament, but since I had the day off, I spent a bit time with my sister, like we went to the nice restaurant, we walked around, and it's also good weather here. In Rome it was a bit different (smiling).

Yeah, nothing special. Nothing too tiring, I will say. Just simple stuff. But maybe after the tournament if I have more time.

Q. When you don't play tennis, what are your hobbies?

ELENA RYBAKINA: What are the hobbies? Well, just relax a bit, watch some movies. Yeah, as much time I can spend with the family, friends, that's the most important for me since we are always on the road and I don't see that often my friends and also family.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. You might play against Jabeur in quarterfinals. What do you think of Ons Jabeur? What do you remember from your match against her last year?

ELENA RYBAKINA: (Answer in English.) Well, I didn't see the draw, to be honest. I just know I might play against qualifier. Honestly, I didn't look so far. If I play against Ons, it's great, but it's still far away, so I cannot say much.

THE MODERATOR: Couple more English questions.

Q. I was just wondering, does it really matter about the surface? Do you feel that if you play well you can beat anyone on any day?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, for sure if I play my best, which it's impossible to play every time good and feel great, but I feel for sure no matter the surface, if I play my best, I can beat anyone.

Q. Speaking of your sister, I was wondering if I could ask a little bit about her. She seems like very creative and a very different personality and what you make of what she brings to your team. What does she make of sort of all this tennis tour and everything like that?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, I think she's actually helping a lot, because it's still a job. You practice all days, kind of the same routine. With her, if I go back to the room or we go to dinner, we can talk about something else, not only tennis.

She's very positive. Also a lot of energy from her. So it's just nice that we are able to spend time together. And, yeah, I think she's also helping, especially if you have a bad day or something, she's the one always positive. So it's good.