Elena Rybakina won't have to hit out at questions from journalists on Thursday as she wasn't requested for media by those on site at the 2024 French Open after she eased past Arantxa Rus and into the third round.
Rybakina got a mixed reaction as she seemed to get fed up with the same questions over and over again and asked for something else. Some agreed with her and others said that they felt like in a world where the WTA wants to grow their brand, this isn't the best reaction to questioning.
Only one journalist is needed for a press conference to be held, but Rybakina wasn't requested by any. She moaned about the questioning replying: โSimple question; simple answers." and asked for 'something else' when quizzed about her kit and also Iga Swiatek once more.
โThese colours I didn't choose. It was the brand who chose for me, so some other questions?" she said about the kit. โThis I don't remember,โ she said about facing Aryna Sabalenka as a junior. โI think no one will remember everything that happened five, six years ago.โ
She did speak to Eurosport though and spoke about being 4-2 down in the second set against Rus. โWhen I'm down, nobody wants to play three sets! Today I was 2-4 down so I was trying to play point by point and push myself. Energy-wise I was not that happy today with myself.
โWith a lefty I'm trying to cover the white sides of the court and in the end I'm also focusing on myself a lot, trying to push myself. Today was a little bit ups and downs and a lot of times I was 0-40 down which I would say is not that usual for me. Of course she's an experienced player and it's not easy to play against her.โ