Elena Rybakina’s most recognizable trait a week ago is that she is similar to many other post-Soviet athletes. A powerful player, with a flat face and no obvious expressions. Rybakina was able to play a full game in silence.
In an era of sports where the wild emotions after winning the first qualifier are celebrated as heroic performances, the reverse seems like a relief.
You could almost predict how her defeated opponent, Ons Jabeur, would have responded from over the net. She might still be high-fiving people while sprinting around Centre Court at this moment. The third set’s middle stretch on Saturday will haunt the 27-year-old if she does not go on to win a major.
She’s been interrogated about that information for the previous week. Here, her friendly, Ivan-Drago attitude really plays off. She just ignores their inquiries, acting as though she doesn’t comprehend them. She had a lengthy news conference on Saturday in English, but when the subject was brought up again, she apologized, “my English is not the greatest.”
In an era of sports where the wild emotions after winning the first qualifier are celebrated as heroic performances, the reverse seems like a relief.
You could almost predict how her defeated opponent, Ons Jabeur, would have responded from over the net. She might still be high-fiving people while sprinting around Centre Court at this moment. The third set’s middle stretch on Saturday will haunt the 27-year-old if she does not go on to win a major.
She’s been interrogated about that information for the previous week. Here, her friendly, Ivan-Drago attitude really plays off. She just ignores their inquiries, acting as though she doesn’t comprehend them. She had a lengthy news conference on Saturday in English, but when the subject was brought up again, she apologized, “my English is not the greatest.”
