Picture Credit: Twitter
Wimbledon 2022 winner Elena Rybakina suffered an injury setback against Beatriz Haddad Maia in the round of 16 match at the Stuttgart Open. The Kazakh player suffered a lower back injury and retired from the match while being a set down. Elena called for a timeout after winning one game in the first set. After play resumed, Haddad Maia won another game before Elena Rybakina decided to retire trailing 6-1, 3-1. She had earlier withdrawn from the Dubai Open third round in February 2023 due to the same injury.
Elena has been in terrific form as after winning Wimbledon in 2022 she reached the final of the Australian Open 2023 and helped Kazakhstan advance to the Billie Jean King Cup finals for the second time after defeating Poland 3-1 in their qualifier. The World number 7 has caused world number 1 Iga Swiatek loads of problems recently, beating her twice this year in the Indian Wells and the Australian Open.
The French Open will be held from May 28 to June 11 and Elena’s fitness is doubtful. The Kazakh player reached the quarterfinals on the clay court in 2021, which was her best finish in the competition. In the 2022 Roland Garros, she lost to American Madison Keys in three sets in the third round.
