Google News Elena Rybakina looks beyond Melbourne: "This defeat will help me for the future"
by LORENZO CIOTTI | VIEW 500
She came close to encore but she didn't go well. Elena Rybakina lost the final of the Australian Open 2023, defeated in comeback by the excellent Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, in her first victory in a Grand Slam title. Elena won the first set and when everyone believed in her new feat, she yielded at a distance under the blows of her powerful opponent.
In the end Rybakina triumphed and spoke like this in the post match: "Obviously this is not the result I wanted today, but overall I have to say that it was still a fantastic two weeks for me. It was a very tough match, I fought until the end but this defeat will give me further motivation for the next tournaments.
Aryna raised her level considerably in the second set, she continued to play aggressive, maybe she increased but she didn't make more mistakes. I should have been more aggressive too at times, I even had a few chances to turn things around but she played very well.
I think she was very strong both mentally and physically, overall I rate this performance in the tournament as positive."
Elena Rybakina looks beyond Melbourne
The tennis player then continued: "I don't think tomorrow I will feel differently about the standings.
Of course, sometimes it will be interesting, especially for the minor tournaments.. I'll be seeded and maybe in some tournaments I won't have to play the first round. There are advantages, of course, but I don't look too much at the ranking numbers.
From now on my goal is always to go forward and do well in big tournaments, I always want to reach the second week and play finals. Now I feel confident, I just have to work and stay healthy, then I'm sure the results will come.
Sabalenka? Not many girls give me trouble like she does, she has a great serve and plays very aggressively. I had chances but I didn't take advantage of them, she deservedly won, it was a really tough chance. Now I have to continue working and think about the future. "