"When I was younger, I was always watching him play": Rybakina opens up on nerves having Federer watch her in Wimbledon opener
WTATuesday, 11 July 2023 at 14:00
World number three Elena Rybakina has revealed that she was
nervous playing in front of former world number one Switzerland’s legendary tennis
player Roger Federer.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner, who has won the most Wimbledon
titles in the men’s singles history in the Open Era, has visited the Centre Court
in the ongoing mega-event.
Rybakina, who is the women’s singles defending champions
this time around, stated that it was not easy to play in front of her childhood
favourite player.
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"Of course was nervous a bit [to play in front of
Federer],” she said. “But overall I'm happy that in the end I managed to win
three sets. Maybe that [Federer's presence] is why I was nervous because
actually I really like Roger. When I was younger, I was always watching him play.”
Rybakina, who has now booked her place in the quarterfinal where
she will play against the last year’s final opponent Ons Jabeur, also talked about
how winning the Grand Slam make things different compared to how it was 12
months back.
"The atmosphere and the attention to be on Centre
Court, it's different than the last year,” she said. “Because last year I
started on a smaller court. With every match I was playing better and better,
feeling better. Here it's different. Straightaway you go to this big court. I
think for me it's now new chapter and this is something I need to get used and
try to maintain my level. Yeah, just to get used to all these things.”
Rybakina booked her place in the last eight after being
awarded a walkover win against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the round of 16.
Before that, Kazakhstan’s tennis star defeated America’s
Shelby Rogers, France’s Alize Cornet and Britain’s Katie Boulter in the first,
second and third round fixtures respectively.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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