Google News Jimmy Connors defends Elena Rybakina: Here to win matches, not a popularity contest
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 31849
Former eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors has underlined that Elena Rybakina is on the WTA Tour "to win matches and not to win a popularity contest." Rybakina, 23, is a Grand Slam champion and she became a WTA 1000 champion after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final.
On the court, world No 7 Rybakina is very quiet but her tennis is doing all the talking. Even though Rybakina is doing extremely well on the court, some have a problem with her very quiet demeanor and would like to see her show more reaction and emotion.
Connors defends Rybakina: She is here to win matches and titles
"She's found her niche and is going about her business in her way in what allows her to play successful tennis. Not everybody is Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Ilie Nastase, or Jimmy Connors.
You've got to find your own way, not only with your game but also with your emotions because your emotions control a lot of what goes on out there too and the way you play. So finding that and feeling comfortable in your game, emotions, and attitude is just as important.
She still smiles but she's a little bit shy. Well, that's okay. It's not affecting her tennis. The tennis result is what counts. You're not out there to win a popularity contest. You're there to win a tennis match and whatever it takes to win that match and how to go about it.
She seems to be very comfortable in the way she's going about it, especially with the results in the last nine-ten months," Connors said on the Advantage Connors podcast, per Sportskeeda. Recently, Chris Evert also defended Rybakina as the American tennis icon said that the Kazakh should not be forced to be something she is not just for the sake of entertainment.
But for Rybakina, the most important thing is that her approach is evidently working and that she is establishing herself as one of the best in the game. Rybakina is now playing in Miami, where she is hoping to make it all the way and conquer the Sunshine Double.
