Rybakina recovers from Federer-induced jitters to survive scare

Defending champion Elena Rybakina survived a Centre Court scare to reach the Wimbledon second round on Tuesday, blaming her nervous start partly on the presence of Roger Federer sitting in the Royal Box.

Rybakina saw off Shelby Rogers of the United States 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the first round as retired eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer looked on.

"Maybe that's why I was nervous because actually I really like Roger. When I was younger, I was always watching him play," she said.

"The atmosphere and the attention of being on Centre Court, it's different than last year, because last year I started on a smaller court.

"Straightaway you go to this big court. I think for me it's now a new chapter and this is something I need to get used to and try to maintain my level."

The 24-year-old Russian-born Kazakh arrived in London under a cloud after struggling with a virus which saw her suffer an early loss in Berlin before pulling out of the Eastbourne tournament.

"I'm feeling much better although it wasn't easy to get back to fitness," said Rybakina. "I'm happy to get the win and it gives more confidence for the next round."

Rybakina also took to the court wearing black shorts under her white dress.

This year, the All England Club has relaxed its traditionally strict all-white clothing rule for female players to help alleviate period anxiety.

"I think it's good to have an option. But the same time I was also fine with all white," said Rybakina.

"I think changes are good, and we still have the same tradition to be in full white. It's just maybe a little adjustment. Overall I think it's good."

Rogers, 31, had defeated Rybakina on grass at the Libema Open in the Netherlands last year and initially she was in charge again under the Centre Court roof as rain fell on the All England Club.

The champion double-faulted on the first point on her way to being broken.

That was enough to give the 49th-ranked Rogers the foundation to claim the opening set.

Suddenly, Rybakina was looking at becoming the first defending champion to lose in the opening round since Steffi Graf was beaten by Lori McNeil in 1994.

However, she steadied the ship, racing into a 5-0 lead in the second set before leveling the match.

A double break in the decider then set her comfortably on her way to victory and a second-round clash with either Alize Cornet of France or Japan's Nao Hibino.

Guru's Gauff offer

As Coco Gauff ponders a fortnight without tennis following her first-round loss at Wimbledon, she might be tempted to phone one of the sport's most accomplished coaches who would love to turn her suspect forehand into the most powerful shot in her armory.

Rick Macci has coached many star players over a long career, including Venus and Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati and Andy Roddick — and he would love to add Gauff to his roster.

"For me, she's the best athlete on the tour, she's an Olympic sprinter with a racket in her hand," Macci said in comments to OLBG, a sports betting community.

Gauff acknowledged on Monday after her three-set loss to Sofia Kenin that her forehand needed work.

"I would love to work with Coco Gauff. I think I could rewire her entire forehand if she and her team wanted to. I'd teach her the ATP forehand," the 68-year-old said.

"Mentally, she has it. Her backhand is money, and her volley is great. The serve, I would rewire slightly, it's loose, it's big, it's free, but it isn't quite as good as it could be.

"She's still so young, but the muscle memory has been there for so long on the forehand. If she took a bit of time out and modified that, she would have so much ability.

"I'd create a completely new stroke for her, and it would fully change her career. It could go from her weakest shot to her best shot."

As Gauff decides whether or not to take Macci up on his offer, one thing she may consider — his resume also includes coaching her Wimbledon conqueror Kenin.

AFP