Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming tournaments in Beijing and Wuhan due to a persistent back injury. Despite this setback, the world number four remains focused on making a comeback before the WTA Tour season finale in Riyadh, scheduled for November.
Rybakina had a strong start to 2024, capturing titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart. However, she faced challenges later in the season, missing several events due to illness and injury. After a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon, she withdrew from the Paris Olympics because of bronchitis and exited the US Open in August following her first match due to a lower back issue.
In a statement, Rybakina expressed her regret over her decision: “Due to an ongoing back injury, I regretfully have to withdraw from the upcoming Asian tournaments. While I’ve been working hard on my recovery, my medical team and I have decided it’s best to prioritize my health at this time.”
The 25-year-old recently parted ways with her long-time coach Stefano Vukov just days before the US Open. Currently, she sits third in the WTA race to the Finals, which will take place from November 2-9.
“This has been a challenging year, and I am grateful for the support from the tournament organizers and all of my fans,” Rybakina added. “My team and I will work on getting me back on the court before the season finale.”
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