Elena Rybakina’s (27, ranked 2nd in WTA) chance to compete in the US Open is uncertain after she withdrew from the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals. Rybakina has been dealing with a right ankle injury that worsened during her match against Iga Swiatek (25, ranked 5th in WTA).
Following Aryna Sabalenka’s (28, ranked 1st in WTA) surprising exit in the tournament’s round of 16, Rybakina had a significant opportunity to ascend to the top of the world rankings.
Rybakina on Withdrawal: “It’s Very Painful to Move”
Rybakina struggled against Iga Swiatek, eventually deciding to retire from the match while trailing 4-1 after 28 minutes of play due to her ankle injury. Post-match, the 27-year-old revealed her discomfort and explained that the injury has been a persistent issue for a while, casting doubt on her participation at the US Open.
“Right now, I can’t say that I’m feeling good. I could barely serve. It’s very painful to move right now. Tomorrow, after I do more tests, I will know for sure what’s happening,” the world number two stated, according to Punto de Break.
“This has been bothering me for some time. I had kept the injury under control, but after playing several matches in Canada and two consecutive matches here in Cincinnati, it got worse,” Rybakina added.
She further explained that the pain intensified during her match against Magdalena Frech, which was interrupted by rain. “I decided to take a day off. I felt good before the match, but a wrong move, a bad landing, and I felt that something had happened,” Rybakina concluded.
