World number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the upcoming Wuhan Open in China after aggravating a persistent foot injury, tournament organisers confirmed on Sunday.
The announcement came just a day after the Kazakh tennis star suffered an unexpected first-round defeat at the China Open in Beijing.
Rybakina, who was beaten by world number 118 Alina Charaeva in her opening match, has decided to step away from competition temporarily to focus on recovery.
In a message shared through the tournament's official Instagram account, the 27-year-old expressed regret at disappointing supporters who had hoped to see her compete in Wuhan.
"I'm very sorry to the fans who were looking forward to seeing me play," she said, adding that she would take time to rest and recover before returning to the court. She also thanked fans for their understanding and continued encouragement.
The injury is not a new concern for Rybakina, who has been dealing with an ongoing problem affecting her lower leg and foot. It previously forced her to retire during her Cincinnati Open quarter-final against Poland's Iga Swiatek in August.
Despite those physical difficulties, the Kazakh enjoyed a remarkable comeback, returning in time for the US Open, where she captured her third Grand Slam championship. Her victory also propelled her to the top of the WTA rankings and secured her qualification for the season-ending WTA Finals, making her the first player to book a place at the prestigious tournament this year.
Her withdrawal from Wuhan, scheduled for October 12–18, raises fresh questions about her fitness as the tennis season approaches its conclusion.
Rybakina is currently expected to return to action at the Ningbo Open, where she will seek to defend her title. Her participation will depend on how successfully she recovers from the latest injury setback. Photo by Hameltion, Wikimedia commons.
