Elena Rybakina will play against Simona Halep in the Wimbledon semi-final on Thursday. There is a bit of a controversy about her nationality. In fact, Elena represents Kazakhstan, but she was born in Russia and apparently her residence in Moscow.
Russian and Belarusian players are banned from playing at SW19 and therefore, some wonder if she should be allowed to play.
During the press conference that followed her Wimbledon quarter-final, a journalist ask the sneaky question if she feels Russian.
Rybakina replied:
“I mean, it’s tough question. I was born in Russia, but of course I am representing Kazakhstan.
It’s already a long journey for me. I was playing Olympics, Fed Cup before. I got so much help and support. I’m feeling just the support of the people and very happy to represent Kazakhstan because I think I’m also bringing some results, which are very good for the sport in Kazakhstan.
Yeah, for me it’s tough question just to say exactly what I feel.”
Rybakina in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2022
Currently the world no.23, the Kazakhstani achieved a 26-12 match record in 2022. Elena is participating in Wimbledon where she beat Coco Vandeweghe 7-62 7-5, Bianca Vanessa Andreescu 6-4 7-65, Qinwen Zheng 7-64 7-5, Petra Martic 7-5 6-3 and Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6 6-2 6-3.
Elena Rybakina will compete against the world no.18 Simona Halep in the semifinal on Thursday at 3:30 pm on Centre Court. Their actual head to head record is 2-1 for Halep.
Elena reached the final in Adelaide (Adelaide International 1).
Halep in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2022
Now the world no.18, Simona has achieved a 31-8 win-loss record in 2022. Simona is competing in Wimbledon where she managed to beat Karolina Muchova 6-3 6-2, Kirsten Flipkens 7-5 6-4, Magdalena Frech 6-4 6-1, Paula Badosa Gibert 6-1 6-2 and Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-4.
Simona Halep will come up against the world no.23 Elena Rybakina in the semifinal on Thursday at 3:30 pm on Centre Court. Their actual head to head record is 2-1 for Halep.
The Romanian has won 1 title in 2022 in Melbourne.
The Romanian won 23 titles in her career: 10 on hard courts, 9 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)
Elena Rybakina and Simona Halep squared off 3 times. Their actual head to head record is 2-1 for Halep. The last time they fought against each other, Simona Halep won 7-6(11) 4-6 6-3 in the 3rd round in New York (U.S. Open) in September 2021.
In the following video you can watch the highlights.
