Elena Rybakina leaves US Open participation in doubt as world No. 2 refuses to rush comeback

Friday, 28 August 2026 at 04:30

Elena Rybakina has refused to fully confirm her participation at the US Open, leaving one of the tournament's biggest storylines hanging just three days before the start of the main draw. The world No. 2 is still recovering from the leg injury that forced her to retire against Iga Swiatek in the Cincinnati quarterfinals, and although her latest update was positive, she remains unwilling to take unnecessary risks.

The timing could hardly be more significant. Rybakina arrives in New York with a genuine opportunity to become world No. 1 for the first time in her career, having closed the gap on Aryna Sabalenka throughout the season. However, she may have to make that push without knowing whether her body will allow her to compete.

Rybakina has not played since her Cincinnati retirement and has spent the last 10 days focused on recovery rather than match preparation. With the US Open draw beginning on Sunday, the Kazakh still has several days to determine whether she is ready to return to competition.

More importantly, Rybakina has made clear that she does not intend to accelerate the process simply because a Grand Slam and the No. 1 ranking are at stake.

Rybakina wants to be certain before returning

Rybakina provided an encouraging but cautious update in an interview with The Mirror UK Sports, explaining that she is doing everything possible to recover but has not yet returned to the court.

“I’m doing everything possible to recover and, so far, everything is going well. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to play yet. We’ll try in the next few days, but everything seems to be fine, so I hope to be ready for the first match,” Rybakina said.

Rybakina raises her arm to greet the crowd after a victory in Toronto

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan celebrates after defeating Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, during round of 16 National Bank Open

The 27-year-old then stressed that there is no intention of rushing her comeback. “These 10 days have been very important, and I have a few more days to prepare. It also depends on when I play the first match, but we just don’t want to rush anything. We’re taking it slowly and I want to be completely sure that everything is okay.”

That approach is understandable given how the injury occurred. Rybakina was forced to retire against Swiatek in Cincinnati after suffering the problem in her left leg, bringing an abrupt end to a tournament in which she had been within touching distance of the No. 1 ranking.

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Her absence from the US Open would therefore be a significant blow to the tournament, but it would not necessarily end her pursuit of the top spot.

Rybakina can actually become world No. 1 without playing a single match in New York. For that to happen, none of Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula or Coco Gauff can win the US Open. If all three fail to lift the trophy on September 12, Rybakina will move to the top of the WTA Rankings regardless of whether she competes.

That makes the situation particularly unusual. Rybakina is simultaneously one of the biggest contenders for the title and a potential world No. 1 who does not even need to step on court to achieve her immediate ranking goal.

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For now, however, the priority appears to be her fitness rather than the ranking. Rybakina will use the next few days to determine whether her leg is ready for the demands of a Grand Slam campaign.

If she does make it to the starting line, her return would immediately add another layer to an already fascinating battle at the top of the women's game. If she does not, the No. 1 ranking could still be waiting for her in New York.

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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