WATCH: Elena Rybakina ramps up her preparations in Dubai ahead of WTA Finals 2024, amid extended tennis hiatus
Elena Rybakina will take part in the WTA finals, scheduled to take place from 2-9 November 2024, in Riyadh. The Kazakh was recently spotted at a practice court in Dubai, getting back in form after staying out of the court since August, citing an injury she sustained during the US Open.
Rybakina punched her ticket to Riyadh for the 2024 WTA Final, despite competing very little in the 2024 WTA Tour and grappling with injuries. Her last competition was at the 2024 US Open, where she had to walk over in the second round against Jessika Ponchet, citing a lower back injury. Ahead of this, she also pulled out of the Paris Olympics due to bronchitis.
Months after facing health adversities, the 25-year-old seemed ready to make her comeback on the court for the WTA Finals. A tennis insider shared a video of Elena Rybakina training for the upcoming tournament in Dubai. The tweet's caption read:
"Elena Rybakina yesterday at Dubai, during her training. Training for the WTA finals who takes place end of next week."
Along with this, another insider shared a picture of the Kazakh signing a tennis ball after her practice session in Dubai.
Elena Rybakina opened up about her withdrawal from the US Open 2024
Elena Rybakina has been off the court since withdrawing from the US Open 2024. She reached the second round of the tournament after besting Destanee Aiava in the first round with a score of 6-1, 7-6(1). Following this, she had to walkover from the second round against Ponchet because of her back injury.
Rybakina shared an official statement, exuding regret for having finished her last Grand Slam of the year in this way. She said, as quoted by IndiaToday:
"Unfortunately. I have to withdraw from my match today due to my injuries...I did not want to finish the last Grand Slam of the year this way but I have to listen to my body, and I hope I can close out the remainder of the year strong," said Rybakina. "Thank you to all the fans who have and continue to support me, and I wish the remaining players good luck."
Ahead of the US Open, Rybakina competed in the Cincinnati Masters as well, where she faced an early loss after being defeated by Leylah Fernandez in the first round. However, she had a good run at Wimbledon, where she reached the semifinals but fell short of advancing to the finals after being bested by Barboa Krejcikova with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.