THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 8, 2024

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/A. Kalinskaya

6-3, 3-0 (ret.)

THE MODERATOR: Elena, obviously you never really want to win on a retirement, but through to the quarterfinals. You must be feeling good about that.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, definitely not the way I wanted to finish the match. But really happy to play in the quarters.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You've won 18 out of your 20 matches here at Wimbledon. You join Ann Jones and Steffi Graf in that club. Any thoughts?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I didn't know about these stats. I know I've been winning a lot on grass. It's nice to be next to these names with these statistics.

Yeah, I think it's great to be there and really happy to show good tennis on grass.

Q. You are the only former winner who is still in the draw. You're also the highest seed remaining. Is that pressure or an advantage?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I don't really think about this when I go on the court. Of course, it gives more confidence. But no matter what, there is still a lot of good players. As I say, I don't really think about it so much.

Q. You're also the person that many people are saying, with all these other players who have fallen, is the heavy favorite to win the tournament. How does that make you feel?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, feels good, of course, if people think so. I mean, it's still far to go to the final. Still a lot of matches in front. As I always say, it's just match by match and we see how it goes.

But definitely I want to go far and try to win it.

Q. How do you see yourself as a player compared to when you were here two years ago? Do you feel the same or do you think you have changed some things?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Definitely I changed a lot. I got much more experience. I think before going further in the draw I was pretty nervous in 2022. But now I feel just more confidence playing match by match.

It is different. At the same time when you go on the court you still nervous a little bit. I think now with all the experiences, I just enjoy much more on the court. If I'm nervous, it's just first few games, not like it was in 2022 when I played against Ons, it was first set when I just couldn't manage my emotions, I was too nervous. Then slowly, slowly I started to feel better.

Q. I think you said every game at Wimbledon you've been nervous. Has that got better? Have you felt it every game? What are your coping strategies?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I think last two matches, like today and the previous one, I played really well. I was less nervous, of course, than beginning of the tournament. I think every tournament you start, it's like first rounds are very tough, you are more nervous than other matches.

Yeah, I just played two very solid matches. I think I played really well. So it gives more confidence. You kind of know what to do on the court. You are more free, I would say.

Q. You're often asked about why you don't celebrate after matches. Do you think one day you'll have some enormous celebration on court, a big roar?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I don't know. I think it depends on the match a lot, how it goes. For now, I didn't have any crazy celebration. Maybe one day we'll see.

Q. Looking ahead to your next match against Svitolina. What are your thoughts about her game and what are the challenges for you in facing her?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, she's a tough opponent. She reads the game well. She defends pretty good. Some slices here and there. It's not going to be easy, of course.

But if I play aggressive, I'm going to serve well, I have all the chances to win of course. I will try to focus on myself and see how it goes.

Q. What do you remember most about your matches with her?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, last time we played just now at French Open, it's different surface, of course. Depends how she's going to come out on the court. Maybe she tries to play more aggressive since it's a grass court.

We will see. Also try to watch maybe her matches here to see how it was. But definitely going to be tough one. I just try to stick to my game plan, to stay aggressive, to come to the net. Yeah, definitely I need to serve well.

Q. On you coming to the net, are you getting more comfortable as The Championships go on at the net?

ELENA RYBAKINA: It all depends on the score, I would say. Depends on the opponent. Of course, if there is days like I played against Caroline, everything goes in, of course there I feel more comfortable to come to the net.

It's moments and moments. Of course, I'm trying to manage it and find the best solution, best opportunity when to come forward. For now it's been going okay. Maybe not that often I was coming. Every time I was at the net, it was quite successful.