Rybakina withdraws from Wuhan tournament due to foot injury — Interia Sport

Kazakh tennis player Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, China, due to a foot injury. This could change the seeding of Poland’s Iga Swiatek: she is ranked ninth in the WTA rankings, but following Rybakina’s withdrawal, she could receive the eighth seed and start the competition from the second round.

The tournament organizers announced the withdrawal of the world No. 1, Interia Sport reports. Fifty-six tennis players will compete in the Wuhan singles main draw. The eight highest-seeded players receive a bye in the first round.

Rybakina’s defeat in Beijing

Before the announcement of her withdrawal, Rybakina lost her first match at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing. In her debut match as the leader of the WTA rankings, she lost to Armenia’s Alina Charaeva, who was ranked 118th in the world at the time, 6:3, 4:6, 3:6.

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After winning the US Open and rising to No. 1 in the rankings, Rybakina experienced foot problems. Because of this, she withdrew from the quarterfinal of the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati, where she was due to play Swiatek. After the US Open, the Kazakh player also declined to participate in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in order to devote time to recovery.

A chance for Swiatek

If no other tennis players from the top seeding positions withdraw before the draw, Swiatek will receive the eighth seed and avoid a first-round match. The WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan is scheduled for October 12–18. For the Polish tennis player, this competition is important in the fight for the right to compete at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells.