Rybakina: "I needed to stop, take a deep breath, and change my attitude"

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Elena Rybakina once again showed at the Miami Open 2026 that her tennis is not only based on power but also on an increasingly greater ability to handle complex moments. The Kazakh secured her spot in the semifinals after a match full of ups and downs, where she had to mentally rebuild herself to turn around a difficult situation.

Beyond the result, the words of Elena Rybakina reveal a constant learning process, both tactically and emotionally, in a season where she aims to take that definitive step towards consistency in the big tournaments. Already settled in the second position of the WTA ranking, she seeks more success in this Miami Open 2026, being just two wins away from the title.

A Tough Start and the Importance of Resetting

The match started uphill for Rybakina, far from her best form and struggling to find rhythm from the baseline. "I didn't start well at all and got frustrated with my mistakes, I started rushing and couldn't control my attitude," acknowledged the Kazakh, making it clear that the main problem was more mental than tennis-related.

However, that turning point came at the right moment. "In the second set, I needed to stop, take a breath, and change the dynamics," explained Elena, aware that she needed to stop that negative trend. That small adjustment proved crucial to get back into the match. "I'm happy I could turn it around," she added.

Tactical Adjustments and Adaptation to Conditions

Beyond the mental aspect, the Kazakh also made changes to her approach to better adapt to the match's context. "I felt I wasn't being aggressive enough and that the conditions were very different," stated Rybakina, referring to the contrast between night sessions and the daytime match.

Seeking solutions, she chose to change her game. "I tried to take more time, not rush, and come to the net more," she explained. This uncommon resource in her repertoire ended up being effective. "Sometimes I was lucky, but it worked, and I'm happy with it," she confessed, showing a greater tactical flexibility.

Previous Work and Reading the Opponent

The Kazakh also emphasized the importance of pre-match analysis with her team, although she stressed that every plan must be adaptable. "We always talk with the team about what I did well and what I have to improve," explained the Kazakh, detailing her preparation. However, tennis requires constant adjustments. "Depending on the conditions, you have to adapt because each court is different," she affirmed. In this case, she understood she needed to step up. "I tried to play more aggressively and move forward on the court," she added, in line with her recent evolution.

Sabalenka on the Horizon: Learning over Revenge

With the possibility of a new duel against Aryna Sabalenka on the horizon, after their recent final in Indian Wells, Rybakina made it clear that she doesn't approach these matchups for revenge. "It's not about revenge; I just want to play against the best," she said naturally. The Kazakh prefers to focus on the personal growth that these matches bring. "We had many opportunities, and the third set was like a roulette," she recalled about their last encounter. "The important thing is to leave the court satisfied with what I did and with small improvements," she added.

With that mindset, Elena Rybakina continues to establish herself as one of the most consistent players on the circuit, capable of winning even on irregular days and finding solutions amidst the competitive chaos that defines elite tennis. She is doing so in a Miami Open 2026 where she is already in the semifinals and eagerly awaits a rematch against Aryna Sabalenka, in what many would interpret as an early final.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rybakina: "Necesitaba parar, respirar hondo y cambiar mi actitud"