Russia-Born Elena Rybakina ‘Thankful’ to Kazakhstan for Supporting Her Career: “Tennis Grew a Lot”
Elena Rybakina trails 5-6 in the head-to-head matchups against her Australian Open quarterfinal opponent, Iga Swiatek.
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Elena Rybakina (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)
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Elena Rybakina will be playing a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time since the 2024 Wimbledon. Rybakina, who has yet to drop a set in the ongoing Australian Open, knocked out Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-3 to book a berth in the quarterfinals of the tournament for the second time in her career.
Last year in Melbourne, her run ended in the fourth round. The Kazakh ace will next be up against Iga Swiatek, who will be playing in the last eight of this event for the third time in her career.
Following her win over Mertens, Rybakina was asked in the press conference how switching her sporting nationality from Russia to Kazakhstan has helped her career. Rybakina was born in Moscow and changed her nationality to Kazakh back in 2018.
It was a long time ago. I just finished school. I was making the decision to study in the U.S. or continue as a professional, since it was not easy financially. I’m thankful to Kazakhstan and our federation for the support. I think for so many years representing Kazakhstan, bringing so many titles. It’s great coming back always and seeing young kids looking up to you. Just generally, I think tennis grew a lot in Kazakhstan.
Elena Rybakina said
Several Russian-born tennis players have changed their Russian nationality to represent other countries since the country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Last year, former World No.8 Daria Kasatkina denounced her Russian citizenship, switching allegiance to Australia.
Elena Rybakina on her game plan versus Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek will be locking horns with Elena Rybakina for the 12th time in her career. The Pole holds a 6-5 head-to-head edge but lost their last meeting in the round-robin stage of last year’s WTA Finals.
Swiatek also suffered defeat when she was pitted against the 2022 Wimbledon champion in the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open. Rybakina, following her fourth-round win, was asked at the press conference about her game plan versus the World No.2.
Well, of course, I think the positioning is very important. It all depends on the shots which I’m making. If it’s a deep ball, of course, I try to step in. I think Iga, she is really moving so well. If I play against her, I will need to not only stay aggressive, but also change a little bit the shots, maybe some variety, and so on. I’m not necessarily thinking about the position at certain shots I hit. But for me, it’s important to stay closer to the baseline and finish the rally closer to the net.
While Swiatek is a two-time Australian Open semifinalist, Rybakina made the final in 2023, but couldn’t finish the match in her favor, losing to World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. En route to scheduling her match against Rybakina, the four-time Roland Garros champion knocked out Maddison Inglis. The only time she dropped a set was against Anna Kalinskaya in the third round.
Swiatek, the winner of one US Open, one Wimbledon, and four Roland Garros titles, is bidding to complete the Career Grand Slam in the Melbourne Slam. If she wins, she will become the third youngest woman to accomplish this year. Last year, her run ended in the semifinals with a three-set defeat to eventual champion Madison Keys.
Prior to playing the Major Down Under, the second seed won the United Cup with her Polish teammates, defeating Switzerland. Swiatek lost her last two singles matches- against the USA’s Coco Gauff in the semifinals and to Belinda Bencic in the final. Rybakina featured in the Brisbane International before the Australian Open, progressing to the quarterfinal, where Karolina Muchova knocked her out.
Also read: (Video) Jelena Ostapenko Furiously Hits the Ball at her Australian Open Opponent in a Tense Moment
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