In the semi-final of the Wimbledon Championships, the Russian-born Kazakhstan tennis player, Elena Rybakina, caused a massive upset as she beat the 2-time Grand Slam winner, Simona Halep. Thus, she became the first-ever Kazakh player to reach the Wimbledon final.

Notably, Wimbledon imposed a ban on all Russian and Belarusian players before the tournament started, which created a huge controversy. Despite being a Russian-born player, Wimbledon did not ban Rybakina, as she has changed her nationality. Currently, she is representing Kazakhstan. After winning her quarter-final match, the Kazakh player talked about the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine along with the ban.

Elena Rybakina talked about the Russia-Ukraine conflict

During the recent press conference, an interviewer asked Rybakina about the banning of Russian and Belarusian players. In reply, the 23-year-old player said, “this is not something you want to hear because we are playing sport. Everybody wants to compete. They were not choosing where they born.”

“Of course, I feel it for them (the Russian and Belarusian players) because everybody wants to compete at the biggest tournament, at Wimbledon. (I) just hope that next year is going to be back to normal,” she further said.

Read More: Here?s Why Russian-Born Wimbledon Semifinalist Elena Rybakina Changed Her Nationality to Kazakh

Speaking about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, she said, “just want the war to end as soon as possible. Peace, yeah.”

It is worth noting that Rybakina changed her nationality in 2018 to become a citizen of Kazakhstan. Also, the Kazakhstan federation gave her the opportunity needed to pursue her dream as a tennis player.

Rybakina’s dream run at the Wimbledon Championships 2022

En route to her first Grand Slam final appearance, Rybakina defeated the 2019 US Open champion, Bianca Andreescu, in the second round. Then, she beat 2-time Grand Slam winner Halep in the semis. Notably, Halep looked impeccable throughout the tournament, as she did not lose a set before the semi-final.

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However, against the Kazakh player’s incredible power game, Halep had no answer, as she lost the match in straight sets, 6-3 6-3. In the final, Rybakina will now face the current WTA world no.2, Ons Jabeur. Incidentally, both women will play their first-ever Grand Slam final.

Who will lift the prestigious Venus Rosewater Dish between Rybakina and Jabeur? Let us know in the comments.