Aryna Sabalenka stopped Elena Rybakina from applauding her coaching team at the trophy presentation of the 2024 Brisbane International.
Elena Rybakina had a brilliant start to the new year, as she secured a dominant victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the 2024 Brisbane International.
Rybakina was very impressive throughout the match, not giving a single opportunity to Sabalenka to bounce back. She started the match without conceding a game in the first set which included converting three break points.
World No.2 Sabalenka did fight back in the second set but the Kazakh tennis player proved too good for her. She eventually handed her a 6-3 loss in the second set to Sabalenka to clinch her sixth WTA title of her career.
During the trophy ceremony, Rybakina congratulated Sabalenka for reaching the finals and also for a great 2023 season. She mentioned how Sabalenka pushes her by making it difficult for her to win every time. She is hopeful to play against her at the upcoming Australian Open.
“Congrats Aryna for a great week and also for the great season last year. Hopefully, we meet in Melbourne. For sure, I think it’s going to be a great battle again. Despite the score, it’s always tough to play against you, we always push each other, which I think is great, we are improving this way.”
-Elena Rybakina during the trophy ceremony
She also went on to congratulate Sabalenka’s team, to which the Belarusian humorously interrupted.
“No congrats”
–Aryna Sabalenka‘s response to Elena Rybakina’s applaud
Despite Sabalenka’s objection, Rybakina applauded her team’s efforts.
“They are doing a good job. No matter what Aryna says, you’re doing a really good job. I really enjoyed playing with you no matter the result as I said we always push each other which is great.”
– Elena Rybakina during the trophy ceremony
Rybakina after beating Sabalenka in Brisbane Final
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 7, 2024
Elena: Congrats Aryna for a great week.. Hopefully we meet in Melbourne… of course congrats to your team..”
Aryna: “No congrats”
Elena: “No matter what Aryna says, you’re doing a really good job” 😂 pic.twitter.com/ywaFIA8j1q
Elena Rybakina anticipates center court appearance at the Australian Open
Elena Rybakina who won the 2024 Brisbane International, has expressed that she is least bothered about the court she will be playing on at the 2024 Australian Open.
She entered the 2023 Australian Open as the reigning Wimbledon Open champion. Despite that, she played her first match in court No. 13 which is usually assigned to qualifiers and lucky losers which created a controversy.
At the post-match press conference after her win in Brisbane, she was asked about her expectations of the court assignment this time.
“By now, I don’t really care on which court I’m going to play. I just try to focus on my game and go so far in the tournament that I;m going to be playing always on centre court.”
-Elena Rybakina at the post match press conference in Brisbane
