Elena Rybakina finally offers explanation for Seoul withdrawal after months of speculation about her health
Just before the US Open got underway, the 25-year-old unexpectedly sacked her long-time coach Stefano Vukov.
She had been out of play for a while owing to severe bronchitis.
A few days later, at Flushing Meadows, the world No 4 began her career with a victory over Destanee Aiava, but when questioned about her coaching change, she was quite reticent.
Subsequently, there were whispers that Vukov had been taken off the WTA coaches roster and that there could have been more involved in the 2022 Wimbledon champion’s sudden breakup with her coach.
Rybakina had been scheduled to face Jessika Ponchet in her second round match that day, however she withdrew, citing “injuries” without specifying what kind of injuries.
Given the situation, a lot of people were left wondering about the eight-time WTA champion’s well-being and what was actually going on.
The 25-year-old’s next scheduled competition was the WTA 500 in Seoul the next week, following the US Open.
However, she withdrew once more, which led to the same discussions that followed her withdrawal from her match at Flushing Meadows.
Though, it has since come to light that Rybakina did cite an ailment as the cause—and it’s the same issue that did not feel well with last year.
The 2023 Indian Wells champion was unable to defend her title in the desert owing to gastrointestinal ailment, which she had to cope with at the beginning of the season. She had to miss another WTA 1000 event a month and a half after having to withdraw from Rome owing to sickness.
Following her withdrawal from Rome, Rybakina participated in the French Open and advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Jasmine Paolini. After leaving, the 25-year-old said that “health issues” had a detrimental effect on her and that as a result, she wasn’t in the greatest possible shape.
“I think in the end my legs were not there. No matter which conditions, if it’s slow or fast, I should have been moving better…. So I’m not really happy with the performance, but it is what it is. It’s tennis. Not every day you can play good.
“As I was saying, I was struggling a little bit with the health issues past few weeks — I think it’s just all together. But in the end no matter all these things, which were maybe happening outside of the court, I managed to get to the quarters. I think it’s pretty good result,” the world No 4 said after her Roland Garros exit.
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