Elena Rybakina, fresh off her Australian Open triumph, is embracing a relaxed mindset as she prepares for the Qatar Open in Doha. Despite her recent success, Rybakina is choosing not to exert undue pressure on herself, instead focusing on enjoying the experience and learning from each match.
Following her victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final, Rybakina's ranking soared to a career-high No. 3 in the world. However, due to Sabalenka's withdrawal, Rybakina now enters the Qatar Open as the No. 2 seed, just behind Iga Swiatek. This unexpected turn of events has led to questions about her approach and expectations for the tournament.
In an interview, Rybakina expressed her mindset, stating, 'I don't put too much pressure or expectations on myself in Doha. Hopefully, this week will be as good as Australia, but if not, we have many tournaments ahead, and we'll work on things and achieve good results. Matches are the best practice, and we'll see how I feel and how the matches unfold.'
Despite her relaxed attitude, Rybakina acknowledges her desire to perform well, saying, 'I definitely want to do well, and we'll see how it goes day by day.' Her current form is impressive, with a 9-1 record in 2026, and she has a first-round bye at the Qatar Open, allowing her to play a maximum of five matches this week.
Rybakina's previous Doha appearances have been notable, with a runner-up finish in 2024. As she embarks on her 2026 Doha campaign, she will face Wang Xinyu, who emerged victorious over Emiliana Arango. Rybakina's journey in Doha promises to be both exciting and challenging, as she navigates the tournament with her signature blend of confidence and humility.
