Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina says she has to ‘listen to her body’ after pulling out of the US Open on Thursday.
The fourth seed withdrew from her second round match against French qualifier Jessika Ponchet due to an undisclosed injury issue. Rybakina began her campaign in the tournament with a straight sets win over Destanee Aiava on Tuesday. During an on-court interview following that win, she said she was ‘happy with her first match and hopefully she can go far (in the tournament).’ There are yet to be any details given about what has changed over the past two days for the tennis star.
“Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from my match today due to my injuries,” Rybakina said in a statement published on wtatennis.com.
“I did not want to finish the last Grand Slam of the year this way but I have to listen to my body, and I hope I can close out the remainder of the year strong.
“Thank you to all the fans who have and continue to support me, and I wish the remaining players good luck.”
Since Wimbledon, Rybakina has endured a roller-coaster journey on the Tour. She was forced to pull out of the Paris Olympics after falling ill with acute bronchitis. Then heading into the US Open, she only played one hardcourt match in Cincinnati where she was beaten by Leylah Fernandez.
The 25-year-old has also recently split from coach Stefano Vukov after working with him for five years. All eight of her WTA titles won so far have been under Vukov’s guidance. In New York, she was training with Kazakh team captain Yuri Shchukin.
“Well, of course, it is different,” she said of the new arrangement earlier this week. “We worked for five years, but still…we talked about the tactic and everything, so I was prepared for the match.”
“I will let you know, guys, if my coach situation is going to change,” Rybakina later added.
Ponchet, who is a year older than Rybakina, is through to the third round of a major for the first time in her career. She will next play either Caroline Wozniacki or Mexico’s Renata Zarazúa.