French Open: 'You call this snappy?' - Chris Evert defends Elena Rybakina after controversial press conference

Updated 29/05/2024 at 11:57 GMT

Chris Evert has leapt to the defence of Elena Rybakina after the Kazakh gave a controversial press conference following her first-round victory over Greet Minnen at the French Open. Rybakina gave short, blunt answers and seemed irritated by the questions being put to her, causing the fourth seed to be criticised for her manner on social media. She plays Arantxa Rus in the second round on Thursday.

'Better questions please' - Rybakina responds to reporters following first-round win

Chris Evert has defended Elena Rybakina after the world No. 4 came under fire for a controversial post-match press conference after her first-round victory at the French Open.

Rybakina had beaten Greet Minnen 6-2 6-3 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, but she did not seem in a good mood in her post-match press conference, remarking: "The questions are quite the same, so I don't know what to say any more."

The Kazakh fourth seed gave curt replies to questions about becoming a Grand Slam champion and her choice of outfit, responding: "It's quite basic. You need to work hard; do all the things you usually don't want to do.

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"I mean, simple questions, simple answers. So, guys, something else?" to the former question, and "These colours, I didn't choose. It was the brand who chose for me so... some other questions?" to the latter.

Rybakina's demeanour was heavily scrutinised on social media, but Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, stood up for her.

Evert, the seven-time French Open winner, commented on a video of Rybakina's press conference posted to Instagram.

She wrote: "What???? You call this snappy? OMG, you guys are reaching..."

Rybakina will play Arantxa Rus in the second round at Roland-Garros on Thursday, after the Dutchwoman beat three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber in her opening round.