Elena Rybakina – QF Press Conference – 2025 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

THE MODERATOR: Elena, congratulations on reaching the semifinal. How do you feel the match went for you today?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Thank you.

Today was complete different conditions from previous two matches. The ball was not going as fast as the previous matches since I was playing in afternoon, in the morning. Yeah, it was different conditions, tough opponent. But really happy that I managed to win in two sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Sonia can be so streaky. When she gets into a rhythm, she can be very dangerous. What do you do as an aggressive player to mix up the rhythm?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, she uses really well power of the opponent. She’s trying to play wide outside of the court. It’s always not easy against her. She started to return pretty well in the second set, so I was trying to mix it up a little bit.

The power was not the same as the matches in the mornings. I was trying to use the better placement on the serve. In the end it worked out.

Q. Was this the strategy you had decided on, or you had to improvise in the game?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, we played before, so I knew what to expect. Of course, in the second set I had to adjust a little bit because I lost concentration, lost the service game. Then she started to return better. I needed to adjust little bit, be ready with the legs.

Yeah, it was pretty tight in the second set. On the tiebreak, I was feeling better.

Q. You’re playing Andreeva in the semifinals tomorrow. Can you talk about playing someone that young who has nothing to lose against a player like you?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, for sure she has nothing to lose. I think she was playing very well in tournament. She’s very dangerous. She’s physically very good, very quick. Also I saw today a couple of games. She was serving really well. If she plays like that, for sure it’s not easy.

But I will try to recover and be prepared and show my best.

Q. You’ve reached the final here before. How can you use that and your experience against your opponent, who obviously doesn’t have the same amount of experience?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, it was a long time ago. The conditions a little bit changed. It’s different balls from 2020. I’m not really looking back so much. I’m focusing on how I feel each day, trying to adjust, trying to improve.

Yeah, for now I know that tomorrow is a lot physical match, too. I will need to try my best, move well and, yeah, recover.

Q. Can you talk about how it was for you when you were young and playing without pressure, as against playing now with expectations of being the top player.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Definitely I was just going there, enjoying. Was just hitting free. I think the atmosphere is always nice to play on these big courts. Yeah, nothing to lose when I was young. Every match, it was great experience. Yeah, it is different when you’re a top player. Everybody wants to beat you.

So yeah, I think she has so much in front of her. She’s dangerous for me tomorrow.

Q. Life can be stressful. Do you find it almost kind of relaxing to be on the court knowing all you have to worry about is your opponent?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I always try to focus on my matches no matter what’s happening outside.

Today I think I did a good job from the start of the match, found a way in the second set. So yeah, hopefully I can continue like that.

Q. Are you feeling better physically as the tournament progresses?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yesterday was a really tough match, long match. Of course, maybe I’m not the freshest, but I think considering how many matches I play, it always gives you some confidence.

These long matches, I think it’s also something positive. It’s kind of a practice for the future, no matter if I win or lose. I’m happy more or less with the way I’m playing now and how I feel physically.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports