Elena Rybakina Miami Interview: Enjoying the Sunshine and Cuisine, Hoping to Advance Further at This Lucky Venue

With the 2026 Miami Open underway, Kazakh star Elena Rybakina, ranked second in the world, participated in an exclusive interview with the tournament. Preparing for her second-round appearance, she feels a particular connection to this site, both due to its favorable playing conditions and the deep professional memories it holds for her.

Back in Miami, Rybakina is feeling very positive. She admitted in the interview that she loves the city, with its off-court attractions adding to the appeal. "There are many restaurants I enjoy here," Rybakina said with a smile. Just before the tournament, she was invited to Caroline Garcia's "Tennis Insider Club" podcast event, held at a Bali-themed rooftop restaurant in Miami, where she relaxed with friends.

Of course, for the "Ice Queen," the feeling on court is paramount. Rybakina noted that the Miami Open's court conditions align well with her technical style: "The courts here are quite fast, which suits my game." With her signature serve and aggressive play, she is undoubtedly one of the favorites for the title.

For Rybakina, Miami is truly a fortunate place. In both 2023 and 2024, she reached the women's singles final here consecutively.

Looking back at 2023, Rybakina fell to Czech star Petra Kvitova, finishing as runner-up; in 2024, she faced the fiery home favorite Danielle Collins in the final, again securing the runner-up position. While she didn't claim the trophy either year, her consistent performances demonstrate her dominance on hard courts. Making the finals twice consecutively has made Miami one of her most familiar venues outside the Grand Slams.

The numbers speak for themselves. During the interview, Rybakina was reminded of a striking fact: since last year's Wimbledon, she has accumulated the most match wins among all WTA tour players. Rybakina credited her team's efforts: "My team and I have worked hard, seeking improvement in every match." She expressed her desire to maintain this high level of competitiveness throughout the season, playing more matches to stay among the elite.

Rybakina's schedule early this year has been packed. So far, she has competed in the Australian Open and three WTA 1000 events (Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells).

In the interview, she revealed the challenges behind this. After winning the Australian Open, she wanted to maintain her momentum. However, the Middle Eastern swing proved difficult: "In Doha, I wasn't feeling well physically, but still played some good matches." In Dubai, a home event, she insisted on playing despite illness, which unfortunately worsened.

Facing the intense schedule, Rybakina admitted it was tough, but she adapted quickly. She mentioned that the recently concluded Indian Wells (the first leg of the Sunshine Double) was a turning point, where she successfully regained her top form.

As the Miami Open progresses, whether this two-time runner-up, with her extensive experience here, can go one step further and capture the title will be a major storyline. With a first-round bye, she awaits the winner between Putintseva and a qualifier.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)