Elena Rybakina has had a good 2024 season with a record of 30-5, along with 3 titles and two other finals. The Kazakhstani player ranks second in the WTA Race, behind Iga Swiatek, but has suffered from three withdrawals that have kept her away from the battle for the world No. 1 spot.
The latest withdrawal occurred just before her participation in the Rome Open, a tournament where she was defending her 2023 title. Rybakina will lose 1,000 points after health problems prevented her from competing in the tournament. She withdrew just an hour before her scheduled debut against Romanian Irina Begu.
Rybakina remains second in the WTA Race
The 2022 Wimbledon champion has missed out on opportunities to earn points due to injuries. She withdrew before the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where she was set to face Jasmine Paolini (the eventual tournament champion).
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Two weeks later, she was also absent from Indian Wells, resulting in a loss of 1,000 points as she was defending her 2023 title. Thus, she has had to withdraw from three WTA 1000 tournaments, two of which were where she was defending the title. "I am disappointed to have to withdraw from Rome this year, but unfortunately I do not feel well enough to compete," said Rybakina.
Rybakina's next challenge will be at the French Open, where she defends the third round after her retired last year due to an upper respiratory illness
"I have such good memories from last year and was looking forward to defending my title. Rome is so special to me, and I look forward to being back next year to reclaim my title and play in front of the Italian fans," she added.
Despite physical limitations, Rybakina has reached the final stages of almost every tournament she has played in. So far, when she has not faced physical problems, she reached the final five times, the semifinals once, and only suffered an early disappointment in the second round of the Australian Open.
Live WTA Race May 12th.
| Player | Points | |
| 1 | Iga Świątek | 4455 |
| 2 | Elena Rybakina | 3583 |
| 3 | Aryna Sabalenka | 3398 |
| 4 | Danielle Collins | 2262 |
| 5 | Coco Gauff | 2113 |
Live WTA Ranking
| Player | Points | |
| 1 | Iga Świątek | 10815 |
| 2 | Aryna Sabalenka | 7608 |
| 3 | Coco Gauff | 7368 |
| 4 | Elena Rybakina | 5673 |
| 5 | Jessica Pegula | 4655 |
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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