QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 17, 2024

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/E. Rybakina

7-6, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Elena, probably not the result you wanted today, but you have had an incredible two weeks. How would you describe your whole week here at Doha?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, they passed very quick, I have to say, but I think it was successful week for me no matter the result of today.

Really happy with all the matches I played and proud of what we have done. The last ten days I played nine matches, so I think it's really good.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Elena, how much do you think the incident with your leg at 4-1 impacted that first set?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, well, I had the momentum and it was quite tough. Even though it was 4-1, we were both fighting.

Of course it was a bit unlucky, because if it was not really going like the blood, I would have continued, because it was not the right moment for me to stop. Unfortunately it took too long. I don't know why.

Sometimes it goes your way; sometimes it's not. It was very quick to change after. Also we change balls, and you need these couple of games to get used to new balls because it's difficult to control.

Plus today I think it was the windiest day. It was really tough to play. I couldn't really use my serve well. The toss was going everywhere. It was not easy to find this momentum. But as I said, I did everything I could in the end of the day, and I think it's still good result for me.

Q. Do you have any regret at all in this match, something you feel you should have done better, or...

ELENA RYBAKINA: Not really. As I said, it was not so many opportunities. It was just by the score, you could say, okay, I was 4-1 up, but in the end of the day, I don't remember that I did something bad as, like, simple mistakes. I played against Iga, and she took the opportunity. She played better in that moment.

Of course my intensity dropped a little bit, especially in the second set. It was not easy, also. Again, the change of the balls was not on my service game, which is a bit tricky also, but it is what it is. I could say something didn't go my way, but it happens many times. Today it was not the day, and it's okay. I accept it.

Q. Congratulations, Elena, on a good week. I just wanted to ask you whether you have ever hurt yourself like that when you have served before. And also, if you were not aware that if your leg was bleeding, whatever part was bleeding, if it had to be stopped. Because you seemed a little disturbed at that point.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, well, I didn't hurt myself. It was already some cut before, and I guess because it's really dry here, I don't know what happened, how it happened, it just opened.

I mean, I was not really happy to stop, especially on my serve in this moment, but again, it happened. I cannot do anything in that moment, because if it's open like this and it's blood, I guess I cannot continue, because this is -- I wanted to continue, but it was impossible.

Q. We, like media or fans, start talking about, like, WTA, like a big four, like you and Iga and Sabalenka and also like Coco would be like a big four in the women's tennis. Do you agree with that? And do you have any preferred opponent to be called your rival?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Not really. I always say that it's too early to say if it's big three, big four. I think it should pass some years and we all need to continue playing well.

But for sure we, all of us, we're trying to push each other, and there is a lot of good players. It's not for me to say if there is big three, big four. For me, it's still too early to say.