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Elena Rybakina recently opened up about having to push herself physically at tournaments, having played multiple three-setter matches in the past few months.
Rybakina continued her sensational start to the season at the Stuttgart Open and lifted the title after defeating Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2 in the final. En route to the final, the Kazakh played three back-to-back three-setter encounters against Veronika Kudermetova, Jasmine Paolini, and Iga Swiatek.
The World No. 4 has had her fair share of fitness issues this year, forcing her to withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters where she was the defending champion. Between long, taxing matches and illness scares, Rybakina has managed to win a tour-leading 26 matches.
The Kazakh was asked about how she managed to stay fresh on the court despite playing multiple three-setter encounters during the post-match conference at the Stuttgart Open. Rybakina revealed that she was in pain in the morning. The World No. 4 also mentioned playing at the Miami Open without much time to prepare.
"Well, honestly, when I woke up today, I didn't feel fresh. First few steps, everything was in pain (smiling). But I think you kind of also get used to this kind of soreness," Elena Rybakina said in the press conference.
"I would say since I was sick in Indian Wells I didn't play for, like, 10 days before Miami. Of course it's not ideal to come to the tournament and just push yourself physically all these matches. These matches are easier when you know you had a good block of preparation."
Rybakina also mulled over getting fewer days to prepare for the clay court but hoped to build on the title at the Stuttgart Open for the rest of the clay season.
"As I said before, I think throughout these long matches, if I'm managing to win it, I'm also getting fitter. So it's kind of 50/50. Of course you don't want to be injured, and it's better to be prepared 100%, but now also my preparation was a little bit short for clay season, but I had really great matches here."
"So, yeah, I think that's a good start on clay season, and hopefully I can continue like this and I will have all this patience for all these long rallies and long matches for the rest of the tournaments."
Elena Rybakina wins a Porsche but reveals that she doesn't have a driver's license
Elena Rybakina won the title at the Stuttgart Open and took home a Porsche. She defeated Iga Swiatek in the semifinal before prevailing against Marta Kostyuk in the title clash.
In the semifinal, Rybakina came from a break down in the opening game to eventually win the first set. Swiatek fought back to win the second set. However, the Kazakh won the final set to make it to her fifth final of the season.
In a hilarious admission during her on-court interview after the semifinal, Rybakina revealed that she doesn't have her license yet. However, she mentioned that winning the car would serve as motivation to get her license.
"Well guys I actually don't have a driver's license so that's going to be the goal. I already want it for a long time so that's going to be a motivation," Elena Rybakina said in the on-court interview.
