“Really happy with the start,” ‘humble’ Elena Rybakina finally opens up about her impressive start of the 2024 season, elaborates on her physical rigors of constant matches

Elena Rybakina opens up about the physical toughness of the game.

“Really happy with the start,” ‘humble’ Elena Rybakina finally opens up about her impressive start of the 2024 season, elaborates on her physical rigors of constant matches

Elena Rybakina (Source: WTA)

Elena Rybakina has admitted that the game is getting tougher physically after beating Magdalene Frech in the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championship. Kazakhstan is the only top-10 player to have won 17 matches and two titles this season.

Despite her wealth of experience in ATP singles tournaments, Elena struggled to get past a stern Ferch 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4 to reach the fourth round of the Dubai tournament. Three days after falling to a defeat against Iga Swiatek in the Qatar Open finals, she looked a bit slow against her French opponent.

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During an on-court interview after her victory against Magdalene Ferch, the 24-year-old was asked how much experience has helped her win two titles this season.

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Well with all the experience, I’d say it’s just the beginning of the year. Of course, it’s a great start, but it’s not easy. The most important is to stay healthy. With every match, it's getting tougher and tougher physically. Really happy with the start of the year, hopefully, I can continue like this.
Elena Rybakina said in the post match interview

Elena Rybakina has been one of the most consistent top players this season. Having been to three finals in four tournaments in which she competed in 2024, she stands as one of the favorites to win the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championship, especially after Aryna Sabalenka’s early exit.

There’s no secret. I’m just trying to push myself every point. There’s nothing you can really do when you play so much. I think it’s a good problem to have.
Continuing further, she added

Elena Rybakina reaches quarterfinals in Dubai

Elena Rybakina, the No. 4 seed, defeated qualifier Magdalena Frech 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4, despite a stern test from the French. She has now booked a spot in the fourth round of the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships.

Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina (Image via: Imago)

The last time the duo met, six years ago, Rybakina defeated Frech 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the 2018 Taipei WTA 125 event. But in Dubai, she needed 2 hours and 39 minutes to battle past World No. 53.

Rybakina, who was the 202 Dubai finalist, would be hoping for the title. Kazakhstan has now won 17 of her 29 matches and has made it to the finals of her last two competitions in the Middle East, winning in Abu Dhabi and losing in Doha.

The former Wimbledon champion will play unseeded Jasmine Paolini in the fourth round. Paolini had earlier defeated Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-2 to advance to her first WTA 1000 quarterfinals.

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