Elena Rybakina won't be winning back-to-back WTA titles after withdrawing from her Tokyo semifinal match due to a back issue.
After claiming the Ningbo title last week, the Kazakh tennis star came to Tokyo needing to reach the semifinal to secure the last WTA Finals spot. After a first-round bye, the No. 2 seed defeated Leylah Fernandez in the round-of-16 and Victoria Mboko in the quarterfinal, respectively. By doing so, the 26-year-old accomplished her main goal in the Japanese capital.
On Saturday, Rybakina was scheduled to return to the court and play against Linda Noskova for a place in the Tokyo final. But just before the start of the match, the former world No. 3 announced she was pulling out, citing back pain.
"I'm very sorry I can't play today. I have been having problems with my back this week and can't play 100%. I am disappointed that my fans will not see me today but I hope to see you next year," the 2022 Wimbledon champion said in her statement.
Rybakina has a week to get herself ready for the WTA Finals
The WTA Finals is starting on November 1st - which falls on next Saturday - in Riyadh. That means that the Kazakh has exactly seven days to get her back treated.
Meanwhile, yesterday after qualifying for the prestigious season-ending tournament, she had a short message for her fans.
"Hi, its Elena Rybakina here. I just qualified for the WTA Finals. Come to support us. Looking forward to playing there," the Kazakh said in a video for the WTA.
This will be Rybakina's third consecutive WTA Finals appearance.
