OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 13, 2023

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

L. SAMSONOVA/E. Rybakina

1-6, 6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Hard luck today. What made Liudmila such a tough opponent out there?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, yeah, it was a tough match physically, especially for me. I know that she played really well. So, yeah, just hopefully she can also try to recover and give a good fight and good match in the Final.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you explain to us what was the turning point of the match after you won easily the first set? Then you had the three double faults in the beginning of the second set. Was that kind of a turning point for you?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, it probably was, but I think that first set, it also went a bit my way, a few lines. I risk and I went for the shot, but it was not really about the score first set. It was just, as I said, a few points here and there.

Yeah, the second one was tough. It became a bit more windy, so I lost the concentration, and these double faults didn't help for sure. So, yeah, after that it's not easy to get back. Yeah, physically I was feeling a bit worse.

Q. We could see some taping on your shoulder and on your back. Do you feel any discomfort? How do you feel physically right now?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, definitely I feel destroyed just because of the scheduling and the whole situation. I'm not really happy about it, but yeah, it is what it is.

Unfortunately, players cannot do much in these situations. The decision is not really ours. Weather was not helpful.

So I picked up some injuries I would say, but we tried to manage it and see how we will go from that.

Q. Did you ever experience such a marathon like Friday and then long matches against Kasatkina previously in your career?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, it's the first time when the match went I think that long, and we finished also so late. It's the first time and hopefully the last time because I think it's been a little bit unprofessional from the -- I cannot say really the tournament because I think that the most important is the WTA here.

Leadership a little bit weak for now, but hopefully something is going to change because this year it was many situations which I cannot really understand.

Q. What time did you get to bed, and what time did you fall asleep after the match Saturday morning?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, we finished at 3. Well, I showered, did some stretching a little bit, went back to the hotel. I think I fell asleep at 5. Yeah, I mean, I woke up at 10, and then it was impossible to sleep. So, yeah, it definitely was not enough time to recover.

The worst thing is that it's not about this tournament. It's going to be not easy to recover for the next two weeks.

Q. When you learned that yesterday your match wouldn't be held, but you had maybe the opportunity to play two today, were you happy because you had more time to recover because it was not an easy situation for you and the organization?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yesterday I was feeling really bad, so I would say that it was better from my concentration overall to play today because I think the most important not to get injured even worse, but yesterday after such a short sleep it was really tough for me to play.

But, as I said, we could avoid the situation easily, but I don't know why we didn't. Yeah, it wasn't easy to think about today's match. If you win, you have to play another one, so I'm not really disappointed so much about the loss because it was kind of expected.

I'm more disappointed, again, about just the whole situation. As I said, it's not the first time with the players affected a lot.

Q. With the weather we've had in Montreal this year how do you keep yourself busy when the match is suspended because of the rain?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I have quite a long routine before the warmups and everything. So all this time I would start the warmup, and then it would rain. So you are kind of busy anyway all the time.

I have my team, so while we talk, eat, it's not easy to wait like this all day. Especially when it is raining a lot, and you understand that most likely you're not going to play, but you still are waiting for no reason, so...

Q. Maybe in one word, how will you remember that crazy week of yours?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I think I will remember, of course, this late match for sure, but the only thing I have to say that the fans are really nice here in Montreal. This I need to say.

Also, I think the other players think the same. I saw posts I think of Aryna. She noticed this too. And I think people that work here were really nice, from the people in the restaurant, security, drivers. This, for sure, I would say is one of the best parts.

Q. Considering the recovery you have to make, do you plan any change in your schedule before the US Open?

ELENA RYBAKINA: It's tough to say. Now I have to see how I feel and evaluate the small injuries which I have now, so we will see.

Yeah, I have to be smart in making any decision because US Open is soon.