Elena Rybakina, the former Wimbledon champion and world number two, has suffered an injury blow just days before the start of the tournament. The 27-year-old has withdrawn from the Bad Homburg Open due to a hip issue, adding to her recent struggles on grass courts.
Injury Setback Ahead of Wimbledon
Rybakina's decision to pull out of the WTA 500 grass-court event came a day after her surprising round-of-16 defeat to Alexandra Eala at the Berlin Open. In a statement, she said: "Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from Bad Homburg due to some discomfort in my right hip. I need to consult with my medical team and undergo further assessment before making any decisions about the next steps. Thank you for your understanding and support."
Recent Performance Concerns
The Kazakh star has experienced a string of early exits recently. She was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club last week by British number three Katie Boulter. On Thursday, she lost 7-5, 6-4 to 35th-ranked Alexandra Eala in Berlin. Eala took the first set and built a 5-3 lead in the second. Rybakina held to make it 5-4 but then lost three consecutive points from 30-15 up on the Filipino's serve.
Season Record and Wimbledon Hopes
Despite these setbacks, Rybakina has had a strong season overall, with a 32-10 record. She captured her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year, adding to her Wimbledon triumph in 2022. She remains a contender for the world number one ranking. The two-time Grand Slam champion will now focus on recovering in time for Wimbledon, which begins on June 29 and will be broadcast live on the BBC.
