Tennis media made a harsh response to Elena Rybakina providing disinterested answers during a press conference earlier this week as the 2022 Wimbledon champion wasn’t requested for an interview on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Rybakina started her French Open run with a 6-2 6-3 win over Greetje Minnen. Later in her press conference, the 24-year-old Kazakh appeared to be a bit bored with questions sent her way.
“The questions are quite the same, so I don’t know what to say anymore,” Rybakina told the media.
Rybakina, who has played two Grand Slam finals and has one Slam title, was also asked to explain what was required for one to land a Major.
“It’s quite basic. You need to work hard; do all the things usually you don’t want to do. I mean, simple question, simple answers. So, guys, something else?” Rybakina said.
Being asked about her creamy-colored Yonex dress also wasn’t something particularly interesting to the Kazakh.
“These colors, I didn’t choose. It was the brand who chose for me so… some other questions?” Rybakina said.
Tennis media hits back at Rybakina
On Thursday, fourth-seeded Rybakina returned to the court and sealed a 6-3 6-4 win over Arantxa Rus. After the match, Rybakina didn’t conduct a traditional post-match press conference because she wasn’t requested for a presser by the media, via Express-Sport.
For a player to conduct a press, there needs to be at least one request. But since the reporters on site were left disappointed with Rybakina’s actions on Tuesday, there was likely a mutual agreement not to request the Kazakh for a press following her second-round match.
Meanwhile, Rybakina is slated to return to action on Saturday, when she meets Elise Mertens in the third round. Against Mertens, Rybakina has a 4-1 head-to-head and she defeated the Belgian 6-1 6-0 in their last meeting en route to winning Brisbane earlier this year.