“That’s the goal in the end,” Elena Rybakina eyeing history in Miami hoping to complete the Sunshine Double

Elena Rybakina wants to make history by winning the Miami Open and completing the sunshine doubles before the clay swing of the season begins.


“That’s the goal in the end,” Elena Rybakina eyeing history in Miami hoping to complete the Sunshine Double

Elena Rybakina after winning the Indian Wells Open 2023 trophy (Image Credit: Sky Sports)

After winning the Indian Wells Open 2023 women’s singles title, Elena Rybakina is on a high. She has now set her eyes on the next WTA 1000 tournament, the Miami Open. It is a prestigious achievement for a tennis player to win the Sunshine Doubles in the same year. However, only a few tennis players have been able to do it in the sport’s history.

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Iga Swiatek last year won the Sunshine Doubles. Besides her, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, and Andre Agassi are some of the players who have achieved this feat. The Kazakh tennis professional is hoping to enter this illustrious list by winning the Miami Open 2023.

She made her motivation clear in the post-match interaction with journalists after the Indian Wells Open 2023 final against Aryna Sabalenka. This was the question she was asked by one of the journalists and she gave a confident and affirmative answer.

Well, I will try to focus just on every match, because I think that it’s really tough. I know Iga did this. Big respect, because I think it’s still kind of long trip to Miami. It’s completely different conditions. So I think that that’s the goal in the end of the day. But when I go on the court, when I’m already there, I’m just trying to practice and prepare for each match,” she said.

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Can Elena Rybakina win in Miami?

Elena Rybakina (Image Credit: Sky Sports)
Elena Rybakina (Image Credit: Sky Sports)

The Miami Open 2023 is considered by many as one of the toughest tennis tournaments. However, it is also one of the most prestigious competitions. Although, this event also boasts a hard court surface, the climate conditions can make all the difference. While the Indian Wells is organized every year in the Californian desert, Miami is located near the Atlantic Ocean, hence the weather is humid. Also, the sea breeze can play make a difference in playing conditions.

Elena Rybakina is well aware of these factors and weather phenomena. She has also acknowledged that her previous record in this tournament has not been great. But the Kazakh girl Elena continues to remain confident she can win this competition, too. She was knocked out of the Miami Open third round by Jessica Pegula.

Well, depends, because for now I didn’t have good results there, I would say, but, I mean, I didn’t have also here. So who knows when I get there? But it depends. I know it can be very windy there, very humid. For sure it’s something to adapt. Yeah, I will see how it’s gonna go, and hopefully I can adapt quickly,” she continued.

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