(VIDEO) Rybakina ends holiday, training in Slovakia ahead of return to action during US Open swing

Elena Rybakina has wrapped up her vacation and is now preparing for the US Open swing in Slovakia.

The World No. 3 took a few weeks away from competition after being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Wimbledon, where she was defending her title but ultimately fell to Ons Jabeur with a score of 7-6, 4-6, 1-6.

Despite arriving at SW19 with some physical issues, the Kazakh player displayed an impressive level on the London grass to win four matches, but couldn't overcome her Tunisian opponent. After her exit, she concluded the grass season and is now focused on the upcoming challenges on hard courts in North America.

Her next appearances will be at the WTA 1000 Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open, serving as a lead-up to the last Grand Slam of the year, the US Open.

As revealed in a video on social media, Rybakina is currently training on hard courts in Slovakia, concentrating on her upcoming tournaments.

In 2022, she entered the US Open swing as the most recent Grand Slam champion, but had a disappointing performance in Canada, exiting in the second round against Coco Gauff.

In Cincinnati, she showed better form, reaching the quarterfinals and securing victories over Mayar Sherif, Garbine Muguruza, and Alison Riske, but ultimately fell to Madison Keys. Her US Open campaign ended with a surprising first-round loss to Clara Burel.

Rybakina will have a free week, and her position in the WTA rankings may be affected, depending on the results at the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi Open. Jessica Pegula, the top seed of the tournament and Rybakina's closest ranking follower, needs to reach the quarterfinals to regain the third position.

Pegula received a first-round bye, and in the second round, she will face either Sofia Kenin or a player from the qualifying rounds. A single victory for Pegula would be enough to surpass Rybakina, at least temporarily.