Elena Rybakina delivered a brutally honest assessment of her rivalry with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka during a press conference before their highly anticipated quarterfinal match at the Berlin Ladies Open, per @TheTennisLetter. When asked about the key to their matchups—having met 10 times with Sabalenka leading 6-4—Rybakina quipped, “Well, we both play aggressive. I don’t think any of us like to defend,” drawing laughs for her bluntness, per. The Kazakh star, ranked No. 11, acknowledged Sabalenka’s edge on grass, referencing their 2023 Wimbledon clash where Sabalenka won, but emphasized their shared attacking style makes matches “50-50,” per Motorcycle Sports.
Rybakina, fresh off a 6-3, 7-6(3) win over Ashlyn Krueger after Zheng Qinwen’s withdrawal, admitted to serving struggles but expressed confidence, saying, “I’m happy I managed to win in two sets,” per Motorcycle Sports. Sabalenka, who advanced with a 6-2, 7-6(6) victory over Rebeka Masarova despite a controversial match suspension, is favored for Wimbledon (+250 odds) by experts like Andy Roddick, per Sportskeeda. Rybakina (+500), a 2022 Wimbledon champion, remains a strong contender, with her big serve suiting grass, per Lob and Smash. Their Berlin showdown, set for June 20, promises intensity, with fans on X buzzing about Rybakina’s frankness, per @TennisHypeMedia.
