Elena
Rybakina will miss the entire Asian Swing due to an ongoing back injury. The
2022 Wimbledon champion recently announced her split with coach Stefano Vukov
just days before the start of the US Open, in the midst of a season plagued by
injuries.
Rybakina’s season plagued by withdrawals
The tennis
world is wondering what is happening with Elena Rybakina, as she continues to
withdraw from tournaments. At the recent US Open, she had a strong first-round
debut but did not show up for her second-round match due to injury. This was
the sixth time this season that the Kazakh player has had to withdraw from a
tournament, or even during a match.
Rybakina
has already retired mid-tournament at the Berlin Ladies Open, Eastbourne
International, Dubai, and the US Open. She also had to withdraw shortly before
the start of the WTA 1000 Rome Open and Indian Wells. The latest withdrawals
from her schedule include two more WTA 1000 events: Beijing and Wuhan.
Elena Rybakina at 2024 Wimbledon.
Little
information has been provided about Rybakina, who has cited injuries and
illnesses to explain her frequent withdrawals. The 25-year-old has a strong
record of 41-9 (82%) this season, claiming three titles and reaching two more
finals, demonstrating her usual effectiveness when on court.
“Due to an
ongoing back injury, I regretfully have to withdraw from the upcoming Asian
tournaments. While I’ve been working hard on my recovery, my medical team and I
have decided it's best to prioritize my health at this time,” she stated. “This
has been a challenging year, and I am grateful for the support from the
tournament organizers and all of my fans. My team and I will work on getting me
back on the court before the season finale.”
Rybakina is
3rd in the Race (only behind the already qualified Swiatek and Sabalenka), and
even though she won't compete in the Asian swing, she is practically qualified
for the WTA Finals. After the tournaments in China, she could secure her
qualification even without playing, depending on the results of her main
rivals.
Last year,
Rybakina reached the semifinals of the China Open (the only tournament she
played in Asia), so she will lose 390 points in the WTA ranking. Rybakina has
not set a date for her return, but considering she won’t be traveling to Asia,
the only tournaments left outside of Asia are the WTA 250 in Mérida (starting
October 28) and then the WTA Finals.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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