Elena Rybakina announced her withdrawal from the 2024 Paris Olympics due to an illness. The Kazakh was to play against Jacqueline Cristian in the first round, with the draw announced on Thursday, July 25. She was also slated to play alongside Alexander Bublik in mixed doubles against Americans Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff.
However, third seed Rybakina pulled out of the Games citing illness, on Friday, July 26. As a result, Caroline Garcia will move into her singles slot and play Cristian. Fritz and Gauff will face off against Nadia Podoroska and Maximo Gonzalez in the opening round. Meanwhile, Australia’s Daria Saville has entered the draw as an alternate.Rybakina made the announcement of her withdrawal via Instagram. She shared that she was suffering from acute bronchitis. She also wrote that she would be rooting for the other athletes representing Kazakhstan at the Olympics.
“It is difficult for me to announce this, but unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympics. After Wimbledon, I contracted acute bronchitis, and despite trying to return to training, my body has yet to recover,” Rybakina wrote on Instagram (translated from Kazakh on the post).
“I wish all Kazakhstani athletes good luck and success in Paris! I will root for all our athletes and believe that they can represent our country with dignity at the Olympics. Forward, Kazakhstan!!” she added.
Rybakina’s sister Anna reacted to the post with a hand-with-heart emoji and a pensive-face emoji, to extend her love and support.Screenshot from Elena Rybakina's Instagram
Rybakina has had an illness-marked 2024 season. She has previously withdrawn this season from Indian Wells, the Rome Masters, and the Eastbourne International.
Elena Rybakina joins a growing list of top tennis players who will be missing in action at the 2024 Paris Olympics. On the women’s side, the reigning Australian Open champion withdrew from the Games due to a shoulder injury. The World No. 3 previously withdrew from this year’s Wimbledon with the same injury concerns.
Ons Jabeur has also pulled out of the Games, as she is struggling with a knee injury. 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic), Madison Keys (USA), and Daria Kasatkina ((Individual Neutral Athletes) are some of the other players who will not be competing at the Games despite booking their spots.On the men’s side, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy withdrew from the Games due to tonsilitis.
Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe will be missing from the USA’s team, while Hubert Hurkacz of Poland will not be representing his country at the Olympics, where he was scheduled to play alongside Iga Swiatek in the doubles competition. Other players to withdraw from the men’s side include Andrey Rublev (Individual Neutral Athletes) and Holger Rune (Denmark).