FORMER Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has pulled out of tournaments in Beijing and Wuhan with a back problem but is targeting a return to action before the WTA Tour season finale in Riyadh in November.
The world number four enjoyed plenty of success in the first half of 2024. He won titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi and Stuttgart, but missed several tournaments due to illness and injury thereafter.
After reaching the Wimbledon semifinals, she withdrew from the Paris Olympics due to bronchitis and withdrew from the US Open in August with a lower back injury after winning her opening match.
“Due to an ongoing back injury, it is with a heavy heart that I must withdraw from the upcoming Asian tournament,” Rybakina was quoted as saying by Channel News Asia on Monday (23/9). “Although I have been working hard to recover, my medical team and I have decided that it is best to prioritize my health at this time.”
The 25-year-old, who split from long-time coach Stefano Vukov just days before the US Open, is third in the WTA race to the Nov. 2-9 Finals. “It’s been a challenging year and I’m grateful for the support from tournament organizers and all my fans,” she said.
“My team and I will try to get me back on the pitch before the end of the season.” (Z-2)
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