Russian-born Elena Rybakina emphasized her ties to Kazakhstan after the Wimbledon triumph when asked about Russia. Congratulations came from Russia – and statements that the Wimbledon organizers should not like at all.
“From my side I can only say that I represent Kazakhstan. I didn’t choose where I was born,” said the 23-year-old, who has played for Kazakhstan since 2018.
After her three-set win in the final against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, Rybakina was asked whether she condemned Russia’s war of aggression and the actions of Vladimir Putin. “People believed in me. Kazakhstan supported me so much. Also today there was so much support, I saw the flags. I don’t know how to answer these questions,” she said.
Her parents still live in Moscow, where the tennis player was born. During the tournament, she declined to comment on how much time she still spends in Russia herself.
Asked about the war earlier in the tournament, she said she wanted it “to be over as soon as possible”.
Because of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, professionals from Russia and Belarus were excluded from Wimbledon.
Russians take Wimbledon success for themselves
“I’ve been playing for Kazakhstan for a very, very long time. I represent them at big tournaments, at the Olympics, when a dream came true,” Rybakina said. When asked if she feared her victory in Russia could be used politically, she replied: “I don’t know what’s going to happen. There will always be some news, but I can’t do anything about it.”
Rybakina also received congratulations from Russia for her victory. “We contributed a lot to their development,” Shamil Tarpishchev, head of the Russian Tennis Federation, told the Russian newspaper “Sport-Express”. “Are there any grudges against them? No. This is sport. Everyone chooses their own path. That is their right.”
Even before reaching the final, Tarpishechev had made it clear: “She is our product. Of course we care about her.” After the triumph, the Russian tennis boss was quoted by the news agency “RIA”: “It’s great! Well done Rybakina! We won Wimbledon.”
Statements that the Wimbledon organizers should not like at all.