Elena Rybakina credits her solo-traveling during junior events for her discipline unlike the other players who were accompanied by coaches and parents

Elena Rybakina won the singles' title at Wimbledon in 2022

Elena Rybakina credits her solo-traveling during junior events for her discipline unlike the other players who were accompanied by coaches and parents

Elena Rybakina (Image : Daily Express)

Kazakh ace Elena Rybakina ousted World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, to reach the semi-finals at the recently concluded Open in China, where she suffered defeat at the hands of Ludmila Samsonova. A former Wimbledon champion, Rybakina is a disciplined athlete known for keeping her composure as she aces her matches.

The Moscow-born Kazakh pro, Rybakina, also became the first tennis player representing Kazakhstan to reach the semi-final of a Grand Slam. As a teenager, she first played on the ITF Junior circuit in 2019 at the age of 14. Four months later, Rybakina outshined her peers when she won her first title at her second tournament, the Almetievsk Cup, a Grade 3 event. The player recently credits her habit of traveling alone during her formative years for her discipline.

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The World No. 5 recently made an appearance on an episode of the Mind Set Win podcast. The player, who will be playing for her country, Kazakhstan, at the Billie Jean Cup, revealed the reason for her discipline on the court. “I was traveling a lot alone when I was younger,” she said. The 24-year-old further explained her case, stating, “Usually when you come to a junior event or some other events when you’re like 15 or 16, you’re traveling with a coach or your parents. I was traveling alone.”

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The player further stated that although she had her friends with her, they too usually spent their time away with their coaches or parents. She further explained that this might be one of the reasons for the strict discipline the player possesses today. Rybakina will also be playing at the season-end finals in Cancun, Mexico, later this season.

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Elena Rybakina reveals the reason for her being disappointed following her Wimbledon win

Elena Rybakina won her biggest title last year at the Wimbledon Championships, where she lifted her first Grand Slam singles title, defeating Tunisian pro Ons Jabeur in straight sets. She also became the youngest female champion since 21-year-old Petra Kvitová in 2011. However, at the Mind Set Win podcast, she remarked that the withdrawal of ranking points dampened her excitement after her title win.

Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina( Image: Hindustan Times)

“It wasn’t easy to overcome this win. Of course, after winning a title, you’re like, ‘Wow. I hope it wasn’t by mistake or by luck.’ In my case, it was a bit different because I didn’t get the points,” she remarked. “You’re not treated as a top player because you didn’t get the points. I’d say this period wasn’t an easy one, to be honest,” she added.

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