Elena Rybakina has apparently not been requested by the media for a pre-tournament press conference across Saturday, June 29, and Sunday, June 30, ahead of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. This has drawn harsh criticism from the Kazakh’s loyal fanbase.
On Saturday, June 29, World No. 4 Elena Rybakina’s fiercest rivals Aryna Sabalenka (World No. 3), Coco Gauff (World No. 2), and Iga Swiatek (World No. 1), are all scheduled to interact with the media. The next day, it will be reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova’s turn. Surprisingly though, Rybakina’s name does not feature on the schedules of either day.
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Elena Rybakina’s fans took to X (formerly Twitter), and many of them called out the media as well as the Wimbledon Championships. According to a set of them, this is no way to treat a World No. 4 and a player who won the ladies singles title at the prestigious grasscourt Major as recently as 2022.
“Do people understand how unreal number 4 in the world is? Like you did beyond incredible to be there. It’s disgraceful from media lena might not care cos she doesn’t like it. but look how happy and excited we were when she did that interview with Poland channel. idk anymore ngl,” a fan wrote.
“Embarrassing treatment to a former champion there smh,” commented another fan.
“I still think that’s highly inappropriate… like come on she’s 4th in the world, is a former champion and still one of the favorites for the title. like come on elena is arguably the best grass court player on tour and i think most would agree with me on that,” another fan chimed in.
Another set of fans wondered what the reason for Rybakina’s absence could be.
“Don’t you think there’s something going on between Elena and the media and also maybe WTA?” asked a fan.
“Did she ask not to be interviewed or the media did not want to have her?” another fan questioned.
“Maybe she’s planning to withdraw,” suggested a fan.
Elena Rybakina came under scrutiny after controversial press conference at the 2024 French Open
Rybakina’s troubles with the media started at this year’s French Open. After the Kazakh’s first-round win at Roland Garros, she kept her interaction with the media during her post-match press conference unusually brief, shooting questions down with curt responses.
Later, prominent tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg criticized Rybakina for her behavior, writing on X:
“Honestly, for a player to whine about not getting prime court slots and media and then to be aggressively insolent in press when folks are trying to make her interesting…just a fundamental ignorance of how to succeed in the entertainment industry.”
Elena Rybakina, the No. 4 seed in the ladies singles draw at this year’s Wimbledon, is slated to get her campaign underway on Monday, July 1, against Elena-Gabriela Ruse.