Elena Rybakina cited an exhausting travel schedule as a key factor in her defeat to Iga Świątek during their recent clash at the United Cup. Rybakina, known for her powerful game and mental toughness, struggled to keep up with the relentless pace set by the world No. 1, ultimately falling short in a hard-fought match.
Following the loss, Rybakina explained that the toll of constant travel and a grueling schedule had impacted her performance. Competing in multiple tournaments across different time zones, the Kazakh star admitted that the physical and mental strain left her feeling fatigued as she faced Świątek, who took full advantage of the situation.
“The travel has been really tough lately, and it definitely caught up with me in this match,” Rybakina shared after the defeat. “It’s been hard to adjust and recover quickly, and I didn’t feel like I was at my best physically out there.”
Despite her exhaustion, Rybakina fought valiantly, but Świątek, in top form, capitalized on the opportunity and played a commanding match, securing a victory to send Poland to their second consecutive United Cup final. Rybakina acknowledged Świątek’s dominant performance, praising her for the win while noting that the demanding travel schedule had made it challenging to be fully prepared.
Rybakina remains a strong contender on the WTA Tour, and with time to rest and recover, she is expected to bounce back in future tournaments. For now, the United Cup loss serves as a reminder of the physical toll that top-level tennis can take, especially when travel and competition are at their peak.
