Elena Rybakina Withdraws From 2024 Korea Open In Seoul

Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from another tournament, this time the 2024 Korea Open in Seoul, marking another setback in what has been a challenging year for the Kazakhstani player. Once considered one of the top players this season, Rybakina’s year has been derailed by a series of unfortunate events.

After a strong start in 2024, Rybakina was widely regarded as the third-best player behind Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek, with expectations of her making a significant impact. She opened the year with a commanding victory at the Brisbane International, where she made a statement by defeating Sabalenka 6-0, 6-3 in the final, prompting many to tip her as a strong contender for the Australian Open.

However, her run at the Australian Open ended in disappointment when she was knocked out in the second round by Anna Blinkova. The match featured a remarkable second-set tiebreak, which Blinkova won 22-20, making it one of the more memorable moments of the tournament.

Rybakina rebounded by winning the Abu Dhabi Open and reaching the final in Doha, although her form dipped slightly with an early exit in Dubai. Physical issues, which have plagued her all year, forced her to skip Indian Wells. When she returned in Miami, she made it to the final but lost to an in-form Danielle Collins. She also claimed the title in Stuttgart, along with a car she couldn’t drive due to not having a license.

Her performances in Madrid and at the French Open were solid, but again, her physical health became an issue. These problems resurfaced in the following weeks, forcing her to miss several key tournaments.

Wimbledon saw a return to form as she reached the semifinals, though she ultimately lost in a match where many expected her to triumph. This was part of a pattern for Rybakina this season, where she often fell short in pivotal moments.

Since Wimbledon, her season has taken a downturn. She skipped the Canadian Open, performed poorly in Cincinnati, and was forced to withdraw from the US Open due to lingering physical issues and illness.

Off the court, Rybakina made headlines when she parted ways with her long-time coach Stefano Vukov. Their relationship had drawn scrutiny, and Vukov has reportedly been banned from the WTA Tour, though no official statement has been made, adding another layer of intrigue to her tumultuous year.

With her withdrawal from the Korea Open, a WTA 500 event set to begin on September 16th, it’s clear that Rybakina’s physical struggles continue. She has not provided any updates on her condition, leaving her fans uncertain about when she will return to competition.

While supporters hope to see her back on the court soon, her future remains uncertain as she battles ongoing physical and off-court challenges.