Elena Rybakina revealed that she was not playing at her best due to the ongoing physical struggles during the 2024 Miami Open final against Danielle Collins which she lost in straight sets.
Rybakina, currently World No 4, couldn’t compete against the aggressive approach of her opponent and eventually ended up losing the final 7-5 and 6-3.
Talking after the match, the Kazakhstani admitted that she didn’t play at her best and Collins’ aggressive approach didn’t make anything easier for her as the Russian-born lauded her opponent for a remarkable performance.
"Well, we played before a couple of times, and it was always tough matches. She's playing very aggressive. I think just these first few shots of the point, you need to be very reactive,” Rybakina said after the match.
“Of course physically I was not at my best so I couldn't push myself. Maybe I should have maybe just risked a little bit more when I had these breakpoints, but again, the conditions are tough. The ball, especially if it's not new, is not going that well. Also the percentage of my first serve was not the best today.
"So overall, I think it was just tough to compete against someone who is playing so well these two weeks. I think physically she was much fresher than me."
On the other hand, this was the first big WTA 1,000 title for Collins as the victory marked her third career title overall, with the last one being in 2021.
"I've worked so hard and it's taken me a little bit longer than a lot of players on tour," said Collins, while playing in her home state of Florida.
Speaking to Sky Sports, she said, "Having a whole stadium on my side was something so special. It's been hard not to get emotional."
The victory resulted in Collins, ranked 53, becoming the second unseeded woman player after Kim Clijsters, who won in 2005, to win the Miami title without being seeded.