In a recent interview following her triumph at the Brisbane International, Elena Rybakina expressed her indifference towards the court assignments for the upcoming Australian Open. The controversy arose during the previous year when the reigning Wimbledon champion found herself playing on Court 13 in Melbourne, a court typically designated for qualifiers and lucky losers. Despite her status as the 2022 Wimbledon champion, Rybakina, seeded No. 22 at the time, faced unexpected court placement due to the lack of ranking points from her Grand Slam victory.
When asked about her expectations regarding court assignments this time around, Rybakina’s response reflected her unwavering focus on her game rather than external factors. “By now I don’t really care on which court I’m going to play,” she stated, emphasizing her determination to progress through the tournament and secure a spot on the prestigious center court.
In the aftermath of her Brisbane win, where she convincingly defeated the No. 2 ranked Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, Rybakina acknowledged her previous disappointment at playing on a smaller court. Expressing her hope to start on a larger stage this year, she highlighted her desire to consistently compete on center court as she advances further in the tournament.
Despite her significant achievements, including climbing to World No. 3 after starting the year as World No. 4, Rybakina remains humble and reserved about her expectations at Grand Slam events. The Kazakh star, who faced criticism for her lack of visible emotions after winning Wimbledon in 2022, revealed her discomfort with the attention and spotlight associated with her success. “Honestly, guys, I don’t enjoy this part of our job so much,” she confessed during a press conference.
Rybakina’s journey has been marked by resilience, particularly as she navigated the challenges posed by the Wimbledon organizers