Player Reactions & Interviews
Step inside the world of WTA player reactions and interviews, where emotions, insights, and unfiltered moments tell the stories behind the matches.
Here you’ll find players speaking openly about their performances, rivalries, comebacks, and goals throughout the season — from tense Grand Slam press conferences to candid reflections at smaller tournaments.
Whether it’s a fiery post-match reaction, a thoughtful analysis of a hard-fought win, or a glimpse into life beyond the court, this hub brings together the voices that define women’s tennis today.
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Vondrousova Calls Out Late-Night Doping Test — A Wimbledon Champion Draws a Line on Privacy
It takes a lot to unsettle Marketa Vondrousova, but a knock at 8:15 p.m. managed it. The 2023 Wimbledon champion ended her season bruised, patched up, and plotting a healthier 2025 — only to be met by an unexpected visitor who wasn’t interested in slice volleys or rehab updates, just her urine sample. And crucially,…
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Olga Danilovic: Finding Strength in the Shadow of a Giant
For Olga Danilovic, growing up Serbian in tennis means living under the long shadow of Novak Djokovic — but also occasionally basking in his light. The 24-year-old left-hander, once ranked as high as No. 32, has not only shared the court with the men’s world No. 1 but shared his counsel, his energy, and —…
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Sabalenka Ends Her Champion’s Year with a Brazilian Reset — and Eyes an Even Fiercer 2026
Sometimes a season doesn’t finish on a tennis court but somewhere far quieter, where no one asks about unreturned serves. Aryna Sabalenka closed out her extraordinary 2025 exactly like that — soaking in Brazil, meeting her partner’s family and friends, and even sharing a moment with football icon Ronaldo. The world No. 1 allowed herself…
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Victoria Mboko Says “There’s So Much More to Come” as She Reveals Her Off-Court Love for Bruno Mars
After a season that stretched her body, mind and diary to breaking point, Victoria Mboko can finally stop running. The 19-year-old Canadian, who rattled through 76 matches and rocketed to No. 18 in under a year, has at last been granted something alien to her in recent times: a proper breather. “It just feels good…
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Rybakina’s Post-Riyadh Interview — Rhythm Found, a Guinness Record Earned, and a Sweet End to a Wild Season
For a player who only just squeezed into the WTA Finals, Elena Rybakina ended the season like someone who had been circling Riyadh on her calendar since January. She arrived late to the party, but once inside, she rearranged the furniture. The Moscow-born Kazakh, who needed a razor-sharp Asian swing to edge Mirra Andreeva out…
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Simona Halep Slips Out the Side Door — No Tour, No Tears, Just a Clean Break
Simona Halep didn’t wait for a farewell wave or a sunset ceremony. She simply drifted off court in Cluj-Napoca at the Transylvania Open nine months ago and, somewhere between a throbbing knee and a 6–1 first set lost to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti, realised she’d reached the end. No drama, no dossier. Another 6–1 in the…
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Dementieva and Kafelnikov on Vukov-Gate, Serve Speeds, Being an Alternate, and the WTA Finals Final : “Elena Rybakina Was Brilliant”
Russian tennis has rarely lacked for character, and few embody that better than Elena Dementieva and Yevgeny Kafelnikov — two champions who defined their eras with contrasting flair. Their insights are revealing — always filtered through a distinctly Russian lens. As Svetlana Kuznetsova remarked earlier this week, from their perspective Moscow-born Rybakina remains a Russian…
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Rybakina’s Riyadh Triumph Turns Political — Kuznetsova Applauds, Shriver Condemns as WTA Rift Deepens
Elena Rybakina should have been basking in glory. A 6-3, 7-6(0) masterclass over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka delivered her the WTA Finals crown — the biggest title of her career outside Wimbledon. But instead of a victory lap, the 26-year-old found herself at the centre of another storm. Her refusal to stand beside WTA…
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Drunk, Seemingly Polish Fan Derails Swiatek — Season Ends on a Sour Note
It was meant to be a straightforward night for Iga Swiatek — one set up, one foot in the semifinals, and total control. Instead, a “drunk fan,” shouting apparently in Polish between serves, managed to throw the world No. 2 off her rhythm — and out of the WTA Finals. The man, apparently intending to…
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Don’t Toss the Toss: Unshaken Rybakina Serves Through Fatigue Into WTA Finals Semis
There’s a certain inevitability to an Elena Rybakina victory when the serve starts clicking — a quiet storm that no opponent seems able to read, let alone withstand. On Wednesday afternoon in Riyadh, it was Ekaterina Alexandrova who felt the full weight of that precision, as Rybakina eased into the WTA Finals semifinals with a…
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“Not just breathe, eat, and do the same thing every day”: Why Ons Jabeur Had to Step Away
Ons Jabeur didn’t walk away from tennis because she stopped loving it — she did it because that love started to hurt. Speaking in Riyadh this week, the Tunisian star opened up about her decision to take an indefinite break after Wimbledon 2024, describing a painful emotional shift that even she hadn’t seen coming. “The…
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Sabalenka’s Emotional Fire Burns Bright — but How Hot Is Too Hot?
Aryna Sabalenka once again delivered a reminder in Riyadh that her tennis is powered as much by heart as by muscle. Her 6–4, 2–6, 6–3 win over Jessica Pegula was not just a test of execution but of emotion — the kind of volatile performance that lays bare both her greatest weapon and her biggest…
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Calm, Composed, and Coming Back: Anisimova’s Words Reflect Her Rise
Amanda Anisimova’s words after her first victory at the WTA Finals captured the mood perfectly — determined, honest, and quietly confident. “It’s pretty difficult to adjust, especially when you lose the first match,” she admitted, summing up the mental grind that defines the round-robin format.“It’s a new experience for me. It’s not easy, but I’m…
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Mirra Andreeva Reveals the Real Reason Behind Her Tokyo Withdrawal
Mirra Andreeva has set the record straight about her withdrawal from the Tokyo Open — a decision that ultimately cost her a place at the 2025 WTA Finals. The 18-year-old Russian clarified that her absence had nothing to do with visa issues, contrary to speculation that spread on social media following a comment from Australian…
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Iga Swiatek Rocks the Boat in Riyadh — Still the One to Beat at the WTA Finals?
Riyadh — If there was any doubt about Iga Świątek’s intent at the WTA Finals, she dispelled it within an hour. The world No. 2 delivered a clinical 6-1, 6-2 dismantling of Madison Keys (match stats here) to open her campaign, playing with the focus and precision that have become her trademark. From the first…
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Madison Keys: “Enjoying the Climb” After Her Breakthrough Grand Slam Season
As Madison Keys prepares for the WTA Finals, she reflects on her transformative 2025 season — a year that brought her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and a renewed appreciation for the journey. The 30-year-old, who last played the season finale in 2016, has evolved personally and professionally since her early 20s.…
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Elena Rybakina Enters WTA Finals With Quiet Determination
As Elena Rybakina prepares for the start of the WTA Finals on November 1, she arrives in Riyadh with quiet confidence and a renewed sense of purpose after a strong finish to her 2025 season. The Kazakh player, who claimed her first title in over a year before adding another in Ningbo, believes her return…
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Wozniacki Fires Back: “Peter, You’re a Clown” — Clash with Danish Commentator Escalates
Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki has hit back sharply at Danish commentator Peter Bastiansen after he criticized her for not making a clear decision about her tennis future. Wozniacki, who gave birth to her third child, Max, in July 2025, is currently on another break from competition. She had returned to the tour in…
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Iga Swiatek’s coach Fissette: “The Ability to Switch Off Is a Superpower”
Few coaches in modern tennis can boast a résumé like Wim Fissette. The Belgian tactician has guided a remarkable list of world number ones and Grand Slam champions — from Victoria Azarenka and Simona Halep to Naomi Osaka and now Iga Świątek.In a candid discussion on The Inside-In Podcast, Fissette reflected on his journey, his…
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Katie Boulter reflects on strong start at Japan Open 2025
Britain’s Katie Boulter has shared her feelings after an impressive first-round win at the Japan Open. The 29-year-old defeated the tournament’s No. 2 seed Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic 7-6, 6-3 to reach the round of 16. It was Boulter’s 18th win in 36 matches this season. Speaking to Sky Sports, she said she…
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Magdalena Frech Speaks Out: “We’re Treated Like Machines”
After her exit at the Wuhan Open and the wave of online abuse that followed, Magdalena Frech spoke out against the harsh playing conditions that have become a major talking point on the WTA Tour. She’s the latest to raise concerns after several players collapsed or withdrew due to extreme heat and humidity. Fell to…
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“I Suffered a Heat Stroke”: Jelena Ostapenko Opens Up After Wuhan Open Retirement Amid Tough Season
Jelena Ostapenko has revealed that a severe heat stroke forced her to retire from her first-round match at the Wuhan Open. The Latvian star, trailing 0–6, 1–2 against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, was visibly struggling before calling it quits. In an Instagram post, the 28-year-old thanked fans for their support and promised to “be back stronger…
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Siegemund stuns Andreeva – “I knew I’d get my chance if I stayed patient”
For Laura Siegemund, day two of the Wuhan Open turned into a memorable triumph. The German veteran battled past world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva in a gripping three-set contest, winning 6–7(4), 6–3, 6–3 to reach the second round in style. Laura Siegemund Keeps Surprising “I knew I’d get my chance if I stayed calm and…
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Taylor Townsend Absent From China Swing Following Food-Related Controversy
Taylor Townsend’s season took an unexpected turn last week after a controversy during the Billie Jean King Cup in China. Backlash Over Comments on Chinese Cuisine The doubles World No. 2 faced intense criticism for mocking traditional Chinese dishes on social media. In one video from the official players’ dinner, she described bullfrog dishes as…
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Alexandra Eala Embraces Brazil: Filipino Star Finds Home‑Away‑from‑Home Atmosphere in São Paulo
Outstanding Support in Brazil Alexandra Eala is staging a compelling run at the São Paulo Open. The 20‑year‑old third seed brushed aside French qualifier Yasmine Mansouri 6‑0, 6‑2, then defeated Argentina’s Julia Riera 6‑1, 6‑4 to reach the quarterfinals — her third WTA quarterfinal of the year. With Brazilian number one Beatriz Haddad Maia still…
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Elena Rybakina Sets Sights on WTA Finals After Mid‑Season Resurgence
Rediscovering Momentum: From Setbacks to Statement Wins Elena Rybakina is finding her fire again. With 44 wins from 61 matches this season, the 26‑year‑old Kazakh has stormed back into the elite conversation following a turbulent 2024. Her gutsy Strasbourg title run—capped by a 6‑1, 6‑7, 6‑1 win over Liudmila Samsonova—signaled not just form, but fierce…
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Andy Roddick: It’s Not If, but When Amanda Anisimova Wins a Grand Slam
The 2025 US Open reached its climax in New York with Aryna Sabalenka sealing her fourth Grand Slam crown in commanding fashion, defeating Amanda Anisimova in straight sets. While the Belarusian cemented her dominance, it was the 23-year-old American who earned plaudits for her remarkable resurgence this summer. On his Quick Served Podcast (YouTube), 2004…
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In Case You Missed It: Jelena Ostapenko vs Taylor Townsend, US Open R2 Drama
On-Court Clash Taylor Townsend shocked Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1, advancing to the third round of the US Open in style. But the real drama unfolded at the net. Ostapenko accused Townsend of having “no class” and “no education,” citing her refusal to apologize for a net-cord winner and her unusual pre-match warm-up.…
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Roddick Defends Osaka After Montreal Speech Controversy, Backs Her Top-10 Comeback Bid
Speech Snub Sparks Online Backlash Naomi Osaka’s runner-up speech at the National Bank Open in Montreal sparked heated debate after she failed to mention champion Victoria Mboko. The Japanese star, who led by a set before falling 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, kept her remarks brief, thanking event staff before exiting the stage. Fans online branded the…
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17-Year-Old Mirra Andreeva Rightfully Thanks Herself at 2025 Dubai Trophy Ceremony: Sharp, Ruthless, and Hungry – Full Match Report
This final showcased to tennis experts and fans worldwide just how dominant Mirra Andreeva can be when she fights for every point. She appeared completely locked in—fully in the zone. And make no mistake, Clara Tauson played a strong final. Only by sustaining that relentless intensity was the 17-year-old Russian talent able to secure victory.…