"I have like 10 days": Elena Rybakina's injury not as bad as feared but return timeline unclear as US Open looms
WTAWednesday, 26 August 2026 at 14:07
Elena Rybakina admits that returning ahead of the US Open could be a difficult task as she approaches the next week or so with caution giving signs that not only is it better than first feared, but also that she won't rush a return to action.
The World No.2 was forced to retire from her Quarter-Final clash against Iga Swiatek at the Cincinnati Open with her encounter only lasting five games. There were initial fears that it was an achilles injury, but those fears have soon dissipated.
The match took place last Friday, but while she has headed to the US Open, she has been unable to practice. Her name has been missing from the schedule. But while she will look to try and play at Flushing Meadows, she has showed both encouraging and not encouraging signs. She might not play and isn't sure and is facing a race against time for fitness in reality to even be involved.
She may have to miss further time if she doesn't manage to be ready for the US Open, but thankfully with only really the Asian swing and also the WTA Finals really to come in the back end of the year perhaps she may decide against it. But also in theory, she could be World Number One which could bring a different facet and puts the calendar and schedule under the microscope.
What Rybakina said ahead of US Open
“I couldn’t even push from the serve. It’s painful to walk, and we will know more tomorrow when I do the MRI," she said at the time after losing out in the Quarter-Finals.
“I picked up some injury [in my] last tournament so I am trying to do everything possible to recover. And for now it has been going well,” Rybakina told The Mirror US.
Rybakina faces uphill struggle.
“Unfortunately, I was not on the court yet [to practice]. We will try it in the next few days, but yeah it seems okay. So hopefully it’s going to be good for my first match.
“It was very important [to rest], in total I have like 10 days [to recover] and I still have a couple more to prepare. It depends also when it’s going to be my [first] match, but we just don’t want to rush and yeah, just taking my time to be 100%.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- …and Foseca ;)DaveyWavey25-08-2026
- All the men dropping like flies. Something’s gotta be done with the tournament calendar or many more players will be on the sidelines in the near future. Surprised Carlos is back as soon as he is. Get well soon Sinner, Draper, Fokina, Rune, etc. etc. etc……DaveyWavey25-08-2026
- I want Pegula to surprise as a one-slam wonder winning in New York. She would then jump over the other three ladies for a number one ranking! I’d put my money on the two American girlies, Jessica and Coco to win in New York. Rybakina cannot seem to perform under this kind of pressure and Sabalenka appears in an anger fog ATM.DaveyWavey24-08-2026
- Well said, Andy. I got sick of Nick carrying on and on and on about Sinner. He absolutely refused to look at the facts. Now look at him. Karma is real!!!Rapunzel23-08-2026
- The fact that ANDY RODDICK of all people has become the voice of “reason” is interesting. He’s absolutely correct about Kyrgios too. He’s become a tennis influencer who is a total hypocrite and bully! I agree with RODDICK 100%DaveyWavey23-08-2026
- Great article! Thiem was similar to Del Potro in that both men had won Grand Slams and injured wrists each stole their careers away. Sad really.DaveyWavey22-08-2026
- I’m not quite sure what’s happening with Sabalenka but she is horrible on court when she’s losing (which is a lot lately). If you cannot control your self at all once you start losing matches - especially at 28 - you need to see a therapist or take a break from the sport. Terrible attitude. This is what represents the women’s tennis tour? Yikes!DaveyWavey20-08-2026
- Love Halep’s post! Very pointed yet simple.DaveyWavey20-08-2026
- He’s such a hypocritical douche! I remember when Sinner was out for three months on his ban and Kyrgios made such disparaging comments towards him and how awful he was. He’s such a mess of a human being.DaveyWavey19-08-2026
- Help me understand this. Nick tests positive for cocaine and gets suspended but Marketa gets banned for four years?Rapunzel19-08-2026
Loading