Elena Rybakina Deactivates Instagram After Early Exit at Queen’s
Elena Rybakina, currently ranked second in the world, has taken the significant step of deactivating her Instagram account following her unexpected elimination in the second round of the WTA 500 tournament held at Queen’s. This decision was made last Friday, just after her defeat by British player Katie Boulter, who is ranked 56th, with a score of two sets to one.
Reaction to Social Media Pressure
Rybakina, the reigning champion of the Australian Open, voiced her feelings during a press conference ahead of her participation in the Berlin Open. She explained that while she typically does not focus on social media, the aftermath of her recent defeat was overwhelming. “I usually don’t pay much attention to social media, but this time it was too much. Since it’s our job, we have to post a lot. And I felt that if these people can’t stop just because I lost a match, I’d rather not give them the opportunity to comment,” she stated.
Facing Criticism and Hate Online
Following her loss at Queen’s, Rybakina was subjected to a barrage of negative comments and hate from frustrated bettors on her social media. She expressed her exhaustion from constantly having to monitor her Instagram account to manage these reactions. “I don’t want to spend the whole day cleaning up my Instagram. I have people helping me, but they’re not on it all the time. I thought it would be better to stay away from social media,” she remarked, reinforcing her need to protect her mental well-being.
Uncertain Future Regarding Social Media
When questioned about the permanence of her decision to leave Instagram, Rybakina admitted that she was uncertain and described it as a spontaneous reaction. “It was something in the moment,” she added, emphasizing the emotional weight of her experience.
Upcoming Challenges in Berlin
Elena Rybakina is set to make her debut in the WTA 500 Berlin tournament this week, where she will face either Croatian player Donna Vekic, ranked 33rd, or Filipino player Alexandra Eala, who is currently ranked 35th. As she prepares for this next competitive challenge, Rybakina’s decision to temporarily step back from social media highlights the pressures athletes face in the era of online scrutiny.
