Olympic Heartbreak FORCED Her Body to Break… But Elena Rybakina Vows to Return for REVENGE After What happened Due To…

Elena Rybakina has conducted multiple interviews over the past few days back home in Kazakhstan as she does the media rounds after becoming the WTA Finals champion in the last few weeks in Riyadh.

Rybakina reflected on her season and that despite the fact she was already thinking of the time off she found time to refocus and put in a shift in Riyadh that in the end paid dividends.

“Overall, I had a pretty successful season. Because at the beginning, our results weren’t what we aimed for. And I’m very happy that in the end we managed to achieve this result, working with my team. Even though I was already thinking about a break, vacations, the team helped me refocus, and we worked on certain moments on the court. There were a lot of matches, but at the same time we always found time to improve something. In the end, it all showed in my performance — and I’m very glad,” said Rybakina as per informburo.kz.

But while she was pleased to win the WTA Finals, Wimbledon still stands out as her favourite triumph for obvious reasons. “Probably Wimbledon — that is one of the biggest victories for me, especially because it was my first Grand Slam win. Later I played another Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, and now — a win at the year-end finals.

“In 2022 it was unexpected; there were so many emotions. That Wimbledon win left a big impression on me. Now, after winning the WTA Finals (the tournament features the world’s top eight players — ed.), I played many tough matches against strong opponents throughout this season.”

Quite a stoic character on court and also in interviews, Rybakina shows a steely determination albeit not in her facial expressions as she was asked about her composure and lack of emotions and how it affects her. “I’m generally a very calm person, so it’s not hard for me to hold back. But there are moments when, if I let out emotions, it would be easier to play further. So it depends on the situation: sometimes those emotions can help — you release them and continue playing. In other situations, if you let them out, you might keep some negativity, and it will affect the match.

“In any case, I try to think positively, even though in different situations it’s not always easy. At the same time I try not to show too many emotions — especially negative ones. Also, not to the opponent.”

But that extends to her mental techniques and off court as well as recovery, sleep, nutrition and physiotherapy. She also discussed a special diet to stay in shape.

“Before a match we usually discuss with the coach possible situations during the game. And how I should play against my opponent. When you go onto the court with a plan, it helps a lot.

“But, for example during the match, if some tense moments arise and I have 25 seconds (to serve the next ball — ed.) or when moving from one part of the court to another, I try to focus on my breathing. It can help relieve stress or nervous tension. Breathing can help to let go of the moment a bit.

“To say I meditate off court rather not. Although sometimes the strength & conditioning coach and I try to devote time to that. But it’s not part of my regular routine.”

“All of that is very important. Sleep especially. When I train and during tournaments I always try to pay close attention to nutrition because that also affects recovery — especially during long flights. And, unfortunately, I have many different allergies. So I have to pay double attention.

“Now I had a rest. I relaxed and ate what I like. But since preparation has already begun, I’m again carefully watching what I eat. There’s always a physiotherapist with me. We dedicate at least as much time to these things as to training.

“How to eat — of course, I discussed it with a nutritionist. The physiotherapist monitors all these things and vitamins so that my body can handle the loads. The doctor takes blood tests, runs tests, and based on them we build an appropriate nutrition plan that I should follow during the whole season.”

Rybakina participated in the Olympics in the 2021 where she was close to winning a medal. She didn’t play in 2024 but she was unwell. But going into the last few years before the 2028 Games, she plans on taking part and a medal remains one of her main goals.

“I really want to play and show a good result. It was very sad to miss the last Olympics — 2024 — because I got ill, and the rest of the season had to be paused. I tried to play in America, but my body demanded a break.

“In 2028 I want to perform at the Olympics and deliver a good result. Of course, that’s not so close yet. But it’s in the plans, and closer to the Games we’ll see.

“An Olympic medal is prestigious in any sport. But in some disciplines people prepare for the Olympics, dream of it every four years. Tennis players, however, focus every season on Grand Slam tournaments and constantly prepare for prestigious events. If it’s an Olympic year, then the Olympics become part of that focus.

“For me, having won a Grand Slam tournament and played WTA events, the Olympics remain a tournament in which I would like to win a medal in my career.”

Her next tournament is the Continental Tennis Cup in Shenzhen and she explained why she had to withdraw from the World Tennis League which takes place in India this year with Elina Svitolina taking her spot late on.

“The season turned out to be pretty long. Physically I wouldn’t have had time to rest and prepare for a new tournament. So we informed the organizers that we would not participate.

Also, I had some issues with my leg. We are training and doing various procedures. If I were to go to India, I would have to fly there in about two and a half weeks. We consulted with the team and decided to take a pause