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Ylena In-Albon is in Wimbledon for the first time in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament. On Monday she meets Alison Riske.
No fewer than eight Swiss are in the main draw at Wimbledon. For a trio it will be the Grand Slam premiere. In addition to the two qualifiers Marc-Andrea Hüsler and Alexander Ritschard, Ylena In-Albon will also be taking part in one of the four most important tournaments of the season for the first time. In contrast to the two men, however, she did not have to take the detour via the qualification.
Whether it would be enough for the direct entry into the main field was in the last few days for number 110 in the WTA world rankings on the brink. «Because the Russians are unfortunately not allowed to take part, I knew that it might work out for me. But it was uncertain for a long time. In the last few days I’ve checked the portal several times to see if it’s enough for me,” explains the 23-year-old from Valais happily.
The reward for the Swiss number 4 is a first round duel with the American Alison Riske (WTA 35). The starting position is clear for In-Albon: «Of course she is the favourite. But in tennis – especially on grass – a lot can happen.” She will try to “destabilize and get into trouble” at Riske. The game is scheduled for Monday at 12 p.m. Swiss time on Court 10. In-Albon is the first of the big Swiss tennis crew to intervene on Church Road.
Body size as a disadvantage and an incentive
In-Albon, who feels particularly at home on clay, is one of the smaller players on the tour at 162cm tall. This is a bit of a disadvantage, says the 11-time tournament winner on the ITF tour. But: «I try to compensate with other qualities, if that is possible. I’m trying to be quicker, to be faster.” But she is aware of her limits. “I will never serve like a player who is 180 cm tall.”