"I was too nervous" - Elena Rybakina revisits Wimbledon 2022 campaign, believes she has 'changed a lot' since then as she heads into 2024 QF
Elena Rybakina advanced to the quarterfinal of Wimbledon for the third time in a row after registering a win over Anna Kalinskaya in the fourth round on July 8. The Kazakh revealed that she was nervous during her triumph at SW19 in 2022 but is more confident now.
Before the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, Rybakina reached the second week of a Grand Slam just twice in 11 main draw appearances. Her best result had been a quarterfinal exit in the French Open in 2021. However, a 17th seed Rybakina braved the storm to win the title by defeating Ons Jabeur in the final.
In 2023, Jabeur exacted revenge by defeating the reigning champion in the quarterfinals. At Wimbledon this year, Rybakina has again advanced to the last eight stage after Kalinskaya retired due to injury.
The Kazakh led the match 6-3, 3-0 when the Russian, who had already taken a medical timeout in the first set, retired from the match. Kalinskaya teared up as her best Wimbledon run ended abruptly.
In a post-match press conference, Rybakina was asked how she feels she has grown in the past two years since winning the title.
“Well definitely I changed a lot. I got much more experience. Before going further in the draw I was pretty nervous in 2022. Now I feel just more confident playing match by match," Elena Rybakina said.
The 25-year-old added that she still feels nervous but it is not the same as before.
"It is different but at the same time when you go on the court, you’re still nervous a little bit. Now with all the experiences I just enjoy much more on the court."
"If I’m nervous now it’s just a few games.. not like it was in 2022 when I played against Ons and it was a full set where I just couldn’t manage my emotions. I was too nervous. And then slowly, slowly I started to feel better,” she added.
Elena Rybakina faces Elina Svitolina in Wimbledon 2024 4R
Elena Rybakina will take on two-time semifinalist Elina Svitolina in the 2024 Wimbledon Championships quarterfinals. The Ukrainian got the better of two-time finalist Ons Jabeur in the third round and Chinese player Xinyu Wang in the fourth round.
Rybakina and Svitolina have faced each other four times before and their head-to-head record stands at 2-2. The last time they faced each other was in the round of 16 at the 2024 French Open and the Kazakh came away with the win in straight sets. Their fifth encounter will take place on Wednesday, July 10.