THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 2, 2024

Elena Rybakina

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/E. Ruse

6-3, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Elena, good to get a win under your belt today?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yes. Pleased with the win and looking forward for the next one.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You're always so composed on the court. How do you think that helps you cope with the pressure of Grand Slam matches?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I think it's my personality. I'm keeping a lot of emotions inside. I think sometimes it helps, sometimes it's not. For now, it's been working, for the past few years.

Q. Earlier today Marketa spoke about how nervous she was coming in here as the defending champion, what a tough loss it was. Can you remember back as to what it was like for you to return here and the emotions that went along with it when you went out onto Centre Court?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I was pretty nervous also. Same as now. I think every match you go, you quite nervous. Of course, you want to repeat the result. Maybe sometimes expectations are too big.

It's like in end of the day you are fighting kind of against yourself every day. I think it's normal to be nervous in the end.

Q. Did you find, when you were the defending champion, it was different with the pressure and how much each match kind of maybe players want to beat you more because they know it's a big upset for them?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, of course, if you're doing well, everyone wants to beat you. I was in the same position when I was younger. I wanted to beat the top players. As I say, it's not easy. The year is tough schedule-wise. I've been playing a lot. Every day is a challenge.

Q. You're fast becoming the queen of aces. How big a weapon do you think that is and how off-putting for opponents?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, serve is definitely my strength. If it goes, it's amazing. Today I've been serving maybe not so many aces. I think it's pretty good in the end with the whole match if we look at it.

Q. This year is particularly tough for players because they've gone from red clay, onto the grass, now back to red clay for the Olympics, then the hard courts for the US Open. What kind of challenge does that present to you, especially with the US Open looming?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, it's really tough schedule. It's very challenging to go from one surface to another, to adapt. Now, for example, it's going to be first time for me going from grass to clay. It's not easy. Physically it's not easy. Mentally. Just overall it's tough schedule.

Q. What will you do to counteract that?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Work every day, try to force myself work every day.

Q. You've had quite a few issues with illness this year. How do you find managing your health as well as tennis? Do you find it difficult to focus on the tennis when you have other complications?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, it's not easy because sometimes you have more energy and you want to do some interesting stuff. Sometimes you are too tired and you just want to be on the couch after the matches. Just not easy to balance it out, your wishes, and also be prepared for the next day. I mean, you trying to balance it out.

Q. We've had seven different champions in the last seven Wimbledons among the women. What does that make you think?

ELENA RYBAKINA: That there is a lot of good players.

Well, I think that on clay definitely Iga now is great favorite. Wimbledon is very special, special surface. The season is quite short. I think a lot of new players also coming up.

We will see. Hopefully I can repeat again (smiling).

Q. When you're at Wimbledon, are there any things you like to do when you're not on-site, restaurants, other things?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, this year I didn't go much to any restaurants. I've been just at home with family and team. But last year I was going around. Also my sister was the year I won. It's changing.

Q. Where were you going?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Just enjoy the city. For now it's been raining today. The other day wasn't maybe the greatest weather so I was not going much.