Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina talks lack of spotlight and recognition

Elena Rybakina performed impressively in the opening three rounds of the Australian Open, but there has been some controversy about the tournament's decision not to place her on the biggest courts.

Rybakina became a worldwide star after winning last year's Wimbledon Championships. Her run at SW19 was unexpected, but she stayed remarkably composed under pressure to beat the crowd favorite Ons Jabeur in the final from a set down.

Despite that success, Rybakina remains a quiet character who does not seek the spotlight. She goes about her business efficiently and competently without doing anything that will attract heightened attention.

That might explain why the Australian Open organizers have not put her on the biggest courts in the first three rounds. The move to place the reigning Wimbledon champion on Court 13 in the opening round felt strange.

Some might also have expected her third-round match with Danielle Collins, last year's runner-up in Melbourne, to be on either the Rod Laver or Margaret Court Arena, but the organizers did not deem the matchup good enough and put it at the Show Court Arena.

By contrast, Coco Gauff, who has not won a Grand Slam title, has played on Rod Laver Arena in the opening three rounds, including against Emma Raducanu. The young star undoubtedly possesses much star quality, but the treatment of Rybakina seems harsh by comparison.

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Many players in Rybakina's situation would complain, but that is not her style. The Wimbledon champion insisted she does not care about which court she plays on and is just happy to win matches.

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