World No. 1 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, China. The Kazakhstani tennis player will need time to recover from a foot injury, the WTA reports. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The withdrawal was announced by the tournament organizers. Following this, Rybakina addressed the fans who had hoped to see her on court and thanked them for their support.
"I am very sorry for the fans who were looking forward to my performance. I will need some time to rest and recover. Thank you for your understanding and constant support. See you next year," Rybakina said.
The competition in Wuhan will take place from October 12 to 18 and will be the last WTA 1000 tournament of the season. Last year, the Kazakhstani player reached the quarterfinals here.
The decision to skip the tournament followed the early end of her performance in Beijing. Earlier, Kursiv wrote that Elena Rybakina, after her victory at the US Open, lost at the start of the China Open. In the second round, Rybakina lost to Armenia's Alina Charaeva, who was ranked 118th in the world. The Kazakhstani player won the first set but lost the next two — 6:3, 4:6, 3:6.
Rybakina's history of performances in Wuhan
Last year, Elena Rybakina reached the quarterfinals at the tournament in Wuhan. This result was one of the important stages in her performances in China. However, this year a foot injury prevented her participation in the tournament.
The WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan will be held from October 12 to 18. This tournament will be the last in this category in the current season. Rybakina's withdrawal affected the tournament's lineup.
Setback in Beijing
The decision to skip the Wuhan tournament followed the early end of her performance at the China Open in Beijing. Earlier, Kursiv wrote that Elena Rybakina, after her victory at the US Open, lost at the start of the China Open.
In the second round of the China Open, Rybakina faced Armenia's Alina Charaeva, who was ranked 118th in the world. The Kazakhstani tennis player won the first set 6:3, but lost the next two — 4:6, 3:6 — and was eliminated from the tournament.
Address to fans
In her address to fans, Rybakina thanked them for their support and suggested meeting next year. "I am very sorry for the fans who were looking forward to my performance. I will need some time to rest and recover. Thank you for your understanding and constant support. See you next year," she said.
This statement by the athlete indicates her intention to fully recover from the injury and prepare for the next season. WTA 1000 tournaments are among the most prestigious competitions in the tennis world.
Significance of the tournament
The WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan will be held from October 12 to 18. This tournament will be the last in this category in the current season. Rybakina's withdrawal affected the tournament's lineup. The absence of the world No. 1 may affect the level of competition at the event.
Last year, Rybakina reached the quarterfinals in Wuhan. This result was one of the important stages in her performances in China. However, this year a foot injury prevented her participation in the tournament.
Conclusion
Elena Rybakina's withdrawal from the tournament in Wuhan was due to a foot injury. The athlete stated that she will need time to recover. Fans are looking forward to her return to the court next year. The WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan will be held from October 12 to 18.