Elena Rybakina feels no pressure ahead of Wimbledon title defense
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina reacts as she performs in opposition to Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in the course of the girls’s singles remaining on day 13 of the Australian Open tennis match in Melbourne on January 28, 2023. (Photograph by Martin KEEP / AFP)
Elena Rybakina comes into Wimbledon as a defending Grand Slam champion for the primary time in her profession however the world quantity three mentioned on Sunday that she doesn’t really feel stress regardless of a virus hampering her preparation forward of her title protection.
The unassuming Rybakina was a shock champion final 12 months and although there have been no rating factors on supply, she used it as a stepping stone to make deep runs in tournaments and win titles to climb up the rankings.
She reached the Australian Open remaining the place she misplaced to Aryna Sabalenka however took her revenge when she captured the Indian Wells crown earlier than lifting the trophy in Rome to rise as much as a career-high quantity three final month.
“After all, it’s totally different this 12 months. I received’t say that I really feel a lot stress. After all, individuals are speaking,” Rybakina instructed reporters.
“The vital factor is that we carry on working with the group. They’re additionally making an attempt to assist me out, to arrange for the matches.
“Hopefully my degree goes to remain that prime and it’s going to be a traditional factor to come back and defend.”
The large-serving Kazakh has solely performed two matches on grass following her French Open third spherical withdrawal, nevertheless, after a viral sickness compelled her to put low.
The 24-year-old mentioned it took her a full week earlier than she might get again to coaching for the grasscourt swing and was compelled to drag out of a warm-up occasion in Eastbourne as she was not prepared.
“The preparation we did, I might say it was good, however nonetheless not the quantity of hours and work we wished to place in. However total I believe we did most what we might,” she mentioned.
“I’ve an allergy. The more serious for me is the entire (month of) Could, I might say. I take drugs, like antihistamine like all people else.
“The virus I caught was as a result of the immune system was weak at that interval. It was simply the virus. I couldn’t take a lot. However the physique needed to get well by itself additionally, so it took lots of time.”
The third seed performs Shelby Rogers within the first spherical and the American beat her on grass of their final assembly in 2022.
“She’s a troublesome participant, she additionally serves nicely. She’s making an attempt to play aggressive,” she mentioned.
“So it’s not going to be a simple one. We all know one another fairly nicely.”
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