Elena Rybakina made a sensation at Wimbledon yesterday, winning against Simona Halep in the semi-finals of the Grand Slam. After the match, the Kazakhstani player gave an interview on the Centre Court, sharing her emotions and predictions on the final match with Ons Jabeur, QazMonitor reports.
Elena, congratulations can you believe what you've just done here on center court?
Not really. I mean it was a great match, and Simone, she's a great champion. And we had many tough matches before. I was really focused today and I'm really happy with my performance because I think that I played really solid today.
This, of course, was the first time you were in a semi-final of a grandstand. Obviously, first semi-final here at Wimbledon. When you walked onto the court we kind of expected maybe some nerves but you started as if you didn't have any. How were you feeling?
I was nervous of course but I think the matches before helped me a bit. I played first time on Court One, two matches there. And today I played first time on Centre Court. But I think the atmosphere which I had before helped me a lot. And today when the full crowd was cheering for us … I was quite nervous and I'm really happy that I managed to win.
We know that you've got an outstanding serve game. But it was absolutely on fire today. You looked so effortless in the way you played. How would you describe how good your tennis was today?
I don't know how to describe [it], but it was really good. I mean, usually of course I have ups and downs and it's coming from the nerves, but I think today I was mentally prepared and I did everything I could, and it was an amazing match.
And the last thing I'm going to ask you is your thoughts on the prospect of a Wimbledon final against Ons Jabeur here?
I think it's going to be great match. She's a really good player, a very tricky player. It's going to be not easy to play against her drop shots coming, to play these volleys.
I mean, I think it's going to be great match and I [will] try to do my best. I'm going to enjoy [it]. I think I already did a lot and it's just time to enjoy and really have fun on court.”
