Elena Rybakina will not compete at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen. The newly crowned US Open champion and world No. 1 announced her withdrawal on Instagram on September 18, just days before the team event is set to begin in the Chinese city from September 22-27.
"I have to announce that I won't be able to participate in Billie Jean King Cup this year," Rybakina wrote. "Am very sad to miss Shenzhen, such a nice place with an amazing crowd. Last month has been tough for my body and I will need to recover and be at my best to compete again."
The withdrawal stems from an achilles tendon injury Rybakina sustained during her quarterfinal loss to Iga Swiatek at the Cincinnati Open on August 20. She was forced to retire from that match and needed at least two weeks of recovery, but managed to return in time for the US Open, which began just 12 days later.
The Kazakh Tennis Federation revealed that Rybakina played the latter stages of the US Open on painkillers, battling through persistent discomfort. Despite the physical toll, the 26-year-old won seven consecutive matches at Flushing Meadows, culminating in a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the final. The win secured her third Grand Slam title and the world No. 1 ranking.
Without Rybakina, Kazakhstan will face Spain in the quarterfinals without their star player. The Kazakh roster for Shenzhen consists of Yulia Putintseva, Sonja Zhiyenbayeva, Zhibek Kulambayeva and Anna Danilina. Spain will field Cristina Bucsa, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Kaitlin Quevedo, Marina Bassols Ribera and Sara Sorribes Tormo.
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals, an eight-nation team competition, takes place in Shenzhen from September 22-27. Italy are the defending champions. Alongside Kazakhstan and Spain, Belgium, Ukraine, Great Britain, Czech Republic and China also participate.
Despite skipping the BJKC, Rybakina is expected to return at the WTA 1000 events in Beijing and Wuhan later in the month, provided her recovery proceeds on schedule.
Sources
https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4578360/elena-rybakina-to-miss-billie-jean-king-cup-quarterfinals-in-shenzhen https://sportstar.thehindu.com/tennis/us-open-champion-rybakina-ruled-out-of-bjkc-finals-achilles-tendon-injury/article71480297.ece
