Unhappy with the tour’s handling and implication of its Safeguarding Code, Rybakina has further felt isolated from her fellow players, several of whom spoke about the situation during the Dubai tournament’s Media Day.
“No one offered any support,” Rybakina said. “Honestly don’t need. There is couple players I’m in touch more. But to say that I have very, very close friends on tour, it’s I think not true just because we competing against each other. Everybody’s surrounded by their teams.
“I have a couple of good friends, let’s say,” she clarified. “But again, it’s all depends on time, how much you can spend outside or not.”
Like many players, Dubai serves as a second home and training base for Rybakina, allowing for a modicum of creature comforts amid an uncomfortable present.
