CANCÚN — Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has secured the final spot at this year's WTA Finals, but her arrival in Mexico has been overshadowed by a health scare and the subsequent backlash she faced after withdrawing from her most recent tournament in Guadalajara.
A Controversial Withdrawal
Just days before the prestigious season-ending championship, Rybakina was forced to pull out of her semi-final match at the Guadalajara Open Akron due to illness. The sudden withdrawal, which came without a prior medical timeout on court, sparked significant criticism from fans and pundits alike, who questioned the severity of the issue. The situation was compounded when her opponent, Caroline Dolehide, received a walkover into the final.
Addressing the controversy head-on in her pre-tournament press conference at the WTA Finals, Rybakina provided a detailed health update. "I'm feeling better now, of course," she stated. "It's never easy to pull out of any tournament, especially before the semi-finals."
She explained that the illness struck suddenly and severely. "I just woke up and I was feeling not well. I had fever. I went to see the doctor, and it was already high temperature. I just physically was not ready to compete. It's as simple as that."
Navigating a Packed Schedule
The 24-year-old Kazakh star has had a standout yet physically demanding season, contesting a tour-leading 73 matches so far. Her relentless schedule, which included deep runs at the Australian Open (finalist), Indian Wells (champion), and Miami (finalist), has taken its toll, leading to multiple withdrawals throughout the year due to various health issues.
Rybakina pushed back against the narrative that she withdraws frequently, attributing her health problems to the grueling nature of the modern tour. "For sure the schedule didn't help," she admitted. "It's easy to judge from the side, but it's not easy to perform week after week."
She elaborated on the unique challenges players face, pointing out several key factors that contribute to physical breakdowns:
- Constant Travel and Time Zone Changes: Disrupting sleep and recovery patterns.
- Varying Climates and Court Conditions: From hard courts to clay to grass.
- The Mental Strain of Competition: The pressure to perform consistently at the highest level.
"People don't see all this," Rybakina noted. "They just see that you withdraw and they think it's not a big thing. But for us, it's our career, our body, and we have to listen to it."
Securing the Final Spot in Cancún
Despite the recent setback, Rybakina's phenomenal season was enough to earn her the eighth and final qualification berth for the WTA Finals. She joins a formidable line-up in the Bacalar Group, which includes:
- Aryna Sabalenka (World No. 1)
- Jessica Pegula
- Maria Sakkari
Her first match is against local favorite Pegula, and Rybakina is aware of the challenging conditions. The outdoor hard courts in Cancún have been a topic of discussion, with players noting the unpredictable bounce and the blustery winds. "The court is not the best, to be honest," she said with a characteristic bluntness.
Looking Ahead to the Challenge
When asked about her goals for the tournament, Rybakina remained pragmatic, focusing on her recovery and the difficulty of the draw. "The first goal is to feel better and get ready. Every match here is tough. You play against the best players, so you have to be ready from the first point."
She also addressed the broader issue of player relations with the WTA, a subject that has been under scrutiny. "I think there are a lot of things to improve. Hopefully, in the future, there will be more communication and things will get better for everyone."
A Test of Resilience
The WTA Finals represent the ultimate test of a player's season, pitting the year's best eight against each other. For Rybakina, the tournament is not just about capping off a successful year with a major title; it's also an opportunity to silence her critics and demonstrate her resilience.
Her powerful game, built around a devastating serve and crushing groundstrokes, makes her a threat on any surface, even one she has expressed reservations about. If she has fully recovered from her illness, she possesses the weapons to challenge for the title and solidify her status as a top player.
The controversy in Guadalajara appears to have strengthened her resolve. "It's not a nice feeling, of course, to see the comments. But I know the truth. My team knows the truth. I have to focus on my job and on getting better."
As the round-robin stage begins, all eyes will be on Rybakina to see if her health holds up under the pressure of the tournament and the scrutiny that now follows her. Her journey in Cancún is about more than tennis; it's a public test of her physical and mental fortitude after a week filled with adversity.