"It’s not so good": Elena Rybakina provides concerning update about lower back ahead of Australian Open fourth round clash

World number seven Elena Rybakina has given a concerning update about her lower back ahead of the Australian Open 2025. The 25-year-old is regarded as one of the best players currently playing in women’s tennis in the singles category.

Rybakina is currently taking part in the Australian Open, where she booked her spot in the fourth round after beating Dayana Yastremska in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4. During the contest, the Moscow-born star felt some discomfort in her lower back and used the option of a medical timeout.

Rybakina has been recently quoted in a report in which she expressed concern about her lower back. The one-time Grand Slam winner stated that it is ‘not so good’ but expressed optimism that her coaching staff will do everything in their power to ensure that she is in good shape for the round of 16 clash. “I don’t know yet,” she said. “Of course, it’s not so good, since it’s lower back but hopefully we can do everything possible in this one and a half day but for now it doesn’t seem too good to be honest.”

Rybakina is set to face America’s Madison Keys in the round of 16. The 27-year-old cemented her spot in the last 16 after beating fellow American Danielle Collins in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4. It will be the fifth meeting between the two players in professional tennis. In the previous four meetings, both players emerged victorious on two occasions each. Their most recent meeting was in the fourth round of the Miami Open last year, where Rybakina came out on top in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-5. It will be their second meeting in a Grand Slam. Their only meeting in a Grand Slam came in the French Open in 202,2 where Keys came out on top with a score of 3-6, 6-1, 7-6.