"Elena Rybakina's really sad"; "First time I see her feeling so affected" - Fans crushed by Kazakh's dejected interview after WTA Finals elimination

Tennis fans were left feeling saddened by Elena Rybakina's somber interview following her elimination from the 2024 WTA Finals. This year marked the Kazakh's second appearance at the Tour's season-ending tournament.

Rybakina had a short but successful season this year. She secured three titles - the 2024 Brisbane International, the Abu Dhabi Open, and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.

At the 2024 WTA Finals, Elena Rybakina was placed in the Purple group, alongside Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen, and Jasmine Paolini. Her campaign at the tournament began with a 6-7(5), 4-6 defeat to Paolini in the first group stage match. She then lost to Zheng 6-7(4), 6-3, 1-6 in her second match, which resulted in her elimination from title contention.

Following her defeat to Zheng, Elena Rybakina spoke to the press and said playing some points in the match better could have potentially altered the outcome of the match for her. She said,

“Today was a longer match and I think I had some chances also in the first set. I was always down but then on the tiebreak, just a couple of better points and it would have been easier."

Rybakina, whose 2024 season has been plagued by injuries, said that losing to Zheng was not the result she wanted but she was grateful for completing the full match.

"But overall, I think I played again from beginning to the end. This was a tough match, three sets. Not the result I wanted of course. Physically I was already very tired and didn't feel the greatest but overall it was a good one for me."

Many fans were disheartened by Elena Rybakina's dejected post-match interview. They took to social media to convey their feelings.

One fan said Rybakina seemed "sad" in her interview:

"She's definitely sad. She could've won that TB :(" the fan posted.

Others noted the Kazakh seemed "upset" and "affected" by the loss.

"Yap. It’s the first time I see her feeling so affected by the loss. She came to feel the game and test herself but she knows in normal circumstances she would beat Zheng in straight sets. Come back stronger Princess 👑 ," a fan wrote.

"Don't be sad my angel I'm sure next year will be ours," a fan posted.

"Aww she is really upset 💔 ," a fan wrote.

Many fans expressed that they wanted to see Elena Rybakina conclude her season on a high note.

"Would be nice if she can finish the season with a win and it might help her regain some confidence after not playing for so long 😔 🙏 ," a fan posted.

"The way i want no one to beat this woman unless it's sabalenka. Why does her season have to end like this 😭 😭 😭 😭 ," a fan wrote.

"This is the second time she's expressed gratitude for being able to finish the match. I'm really worried about her fitness, but I think more matches under her belt will help," a fan posted.

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Elena Rybakina will face Aryna Sabalenka in the last group stage match at WTA Finals 2024

Aryna Sabalenka (L) & Elena Rybakina (R) practicing at WTA Finals 2024 [Image Source: Getty Images]

Elena Rybakina will go up against Aryna Sabalenka in her final group stage match at the 2024 WTA Finals.

Sabalenka, who is playing at the season-ending tournament for the fourth time in her career, has had a strong start to the campaign. She secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zheng Qinwen in her first group stage match.

The Belarusian then triumphed over Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-3, 7-5 and will now go up against Rybakina.

The upcoming match between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will mark their tenth meeting on the WTA tour, with the World No.1 having emerged victorious in six of their nine previous encounters.

Their most recent clash took place in the semifinals of the 2024 Madrid Open, where Sabalenka staged a remarkable comeback to win 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(5).