“We'll see how I wake up tomorrow”: Elena Rybakina issues injury warning after US Open win

Wednesday, 02 September 2026 at 03:16

Elena Rybakina began her US Open campaign with a convincing straight-sets victory over Thea Frodin, but the Australian Open champion admitted there are still questions over how her injured leg will respond after returning to competitive action. The No. 2 seed defeated the 17-year-old American wildcard 6-3, 6-2 in her first match since retiring injured in Cincinnati.

Rybakina had been a doubt for the US Open after an Achilles tendon injury forced her to stop during her Cincinnati quarterfinal against Iga Swiatek. The Kazakh did not play for seven days afterward and had limited options in the gym, leaving her with only around 10 days to recover before stepping onto the Grandstand court in New York.

There were few visible signs of discomfort during the match. Rybakina controlled the contest against Frodin, who was making her Grand Slam main-draw debut, and advanced in one hour and 14 minutes despite the lengthy rain delay that preceded the match. The victory also kept alive her opportunity to make history by becoming the first Kazakh player to reach world No. 1.

Yet Rybakina was unwilling to declare herself completely out of danger. The 2026 Australian Open champion said she felt fine during the match, but emphasized that the real test would come when she wakes up after putting the injured leg through a full competitive match for the first time since Cincinnati.

Rybakina remains cautious despite positive return

The injury occurred during Rybakina's Cincinnati quarterfinal against Swiatek, when she immediately called for the physio before attempting to continue. She eventually stopped after realizing that serving and pushing off the injured leg were too difficult.

“I stopped because of the pain. When it happened, I felt it straight away and immediately called for the physio in Cincinnati. She said that the tendon was not broken, so that was a good thing, but of course I still had the pain and I said, ‘Let me just try.’”

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The decision to withdraw ultimately gave Rybakina a short window to recover before New York. She went seven days without tennis and was unable to do much movement-based gym work, making her first-round performance particularly encouraging.

“We didn't know if I was going to be able to play here or not, so I'm pretty happy that I'm playing right now. We were taking it day by day. I didn't play for the full week — seven days without tennis — and basically I couldn't do too much in the gym in terms of movement. So it's a great result after 10 days from that kind of injury.”

The match itself suggested that Rybakina had recovered well enough to compete without obvious restrictions. However, she remains focused on how her body responds rather than looking too far ahead.

“Well, right now I feel okay. Of course, we'll see day by day how I wake up tomorrow, since it was the first match and kind of a lot of movement.”

World No. 1 race adds another layer

Rybakina also has considerably more at stake than simply reaching the second round. Her run in New York could take her to the top of the WTA rankings for the first time, with a semifinal appearance enough to guarantee the No. 1 position.

That possibility comes after a season in which Rybakina has already returned to Grand Slam glory. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final to claim her second major title, giving her both the confidence and ranking position to enter New York as one of the tournament's leading contenders.

“No, of course it gives quite confidence for the rest of the season. You just want to keep on going, keep on playing, it gives motivation too,” Rybakina said when asked about the impact of winning a Grand Slam early in the season.

She acknowledged that the transition after Melbourne was not straightforward, with her level dropping during the clay and grass swings before she began to find more consistency again on hard courts.

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“We kept on playing, kept on adjusting, so I'm happy how these hard-court tournaments went for now, except of the injury, of course. But when you start like this, it's always a motivation and confidence.”

Her next challenge will come with another assessment of the injured leg. Rybakina advanced comfortably against Frodin, but her own words made clear that the first-round win was only one step in determining whether her body is ready for a deep run in New York.

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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