“Unfortunately, Elena can’t participate”: Rybakina withdraws from Stuttgart side event but remains in main draw
WTASunday, 12 April 2026 at 21:30
Elena Rybakina’s preparation for the 2026 clay swing has taken an uncertain turn, with the Kazakhstani withdrawing from a pre-tournament event ahead of the WTA 500 Stuttgart Open. The World No. 3, who has not competed since the Miami Open, remains officially entered in the WTA 500 main draw but has yet to arrive on site in Germany.
Rybakina had been set to headline the One Point Challenge, a short-format exhibition staged before the main event begins in Stuttgart. The format, inspired by similar initiatives at the Australian Open, pits players and celebrities against each other in single-point matches, offering a lighter introduction to the tournament week.
Her absence comes at a notable moment, particularly as she was due to enter Stuttgart as the top seed following Aryna Sabalenka’s withdrawal. Despite that opportunity, uncertainty persists around her physical condition and readiness, with no match play since her semi-final defeat to Sabalenka in Miami.
While tournament organisers have clarified that her main draw participation remains intact, Rybakina is currently the only top-ranked player yet to arrive in Stuttgart. In contrast, players such as Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff have already begun on-site preparations, underlining the contrast in readiness among leading contenders.
Withdrawal from Stuttgart curtain-raiser raises questions
Withdrawal from Stuttgart curtain-raiser raises questions
The Stuttgart Open confirmed Rybakina’s withdrawal from the One Point Challenge via an official statement, framing the decision as limited strictly to the exhibition event. The tournament maintained that her involvement in the main competition had not changed, although her absence from early activities remains notable.
“Unfortunately, Elena Rybakina can’t participate in tomorrow’s event, but we’re looking forward to seeing her next week on the Centre Court for her first match.”
The wording leaves open the expectation that Rybakina will still compete, but stops short of providing clarity on her current condition or reasons for the late withdrawal. In any case, the exhibition will be played with two of the tournament’s major stars: the fourth seed Elina Svitolina (World No. 7) and the former World No. 2 Paula Badosa.
Rybakina’s Miami campaign, where she was defeated by Sabalenka in the semi-finals, marked her last competitive outing. Since then, she has not featured in any official events, making Stuttgart a key test of her transition onto clay, a surface where she has historically produced competitive but less dominant results compared to hard courts.
Badosa and Svitolina step in as replacements
In Rybakina’s absence, the tournament has moved quickly to secure replacements, naming Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina as participants in the One Point Challenge. Both players are also scheduled to compete in the Stuttgart main draw.
Badosa’s presence comes amid recent scheduling scrutiny, after opting to compete in Stuttgart despite previously accepting a wild card for the Open de Rouen. The Spaniard had an early exit in Linz, and will look in Stuttgart for a new opportunity to add points and recover positions in the rankings, while she currently sits as low as World No. 105.
Svitolina, meanwhile, arrives in strong form during the 2026 season. The Ukrainian currently sits at World No. 7 and has already accumulated 20 match wins this year, alongside a title at the ASB Classic. Her consistency has positioned her as one of the more reliable performers on tour in the opening months of the season.
There is also a potential competitive intersection between the two replacements, as Svitolina awaits the winner of Badosa’s opening match against Eva Lys in the Stuttgart draw. This adds a layer of immediate relevance to their presence, beyond the exhibition setting.
Rybakina, on the other side, awaits her potential debut on Wednesday, April 15, after her first-round bye, and is waiting to learn her opponent. She will face the winner between Tamara Korpatsch (local wildcard) and Diana Shnaider, while in the quarter-finals a potential clash against high-profile opponents such as Alexandra Eala or Jasmine Paolini emerges.
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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