Elena Rybakina is reportedly feeling “well” and is gearing up for a return to competitive play, with plans to participate in both the WTA Finals and the Billie Jean King Cup, according to the captain of Kazakhstan’s national team.
Currently ranked fifth in the world, Rybakina has not seen action since her withdrawal from the US Open in August, where she exited in the second round due to a persistent lower back injury. This setback has kept her sidelined throughout the Asian swing, adding to a challenging season marked by illness and injury, resulting in over ten tournament withdrawals.
Despite her struggles, the 25-year-old has enjoyed a successful start to 2024, clinching three titles and reaching two additional finals. However, her recent separation from long-time coach Stefano Vukov, which occurred just before the US Open, has drawn unwanted media scrutiny.
Nonetheless, Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, is looking to make her comeback later this year. Kazakh national team captain Yuri Schukin shared insights on her status with KTF KZ, stating, “Elena Rybakina plans to play at the WTA Finals tournament by the end of this playing season, where she qualified due to her successful results at the beginning of the year.”
Schukin confirmed the team’s preparations for their upcoming Billie Jean King Cup tie against South Korea, stating, “Currently, our athletes are preparing to perform against the Korean team.” He listed the national team members, including Rybakina, Zarina Diyas, Yulia Putintseva, Anna Dalinina, and Zhibek Kulambayeva. He added, “Now Elena feels well, and if she manages to show a confident game in Riyadh, she is determined to play in the matches against the Korean team.”
The WTA Finals are scheduled to take place in Riyadh from November 2-9, while Kazakhstan’s Billie Jean King Cup tie will unfold in Astana on November 15-16. This marks Rybakina’s second consecutive qualification for the year-end championships, having made her debut in 2023.
Her 2024 season has been highlighted by victories at three WTA 500-level events in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart, alongside runner-up finishes at the WTA 1000 tournaments in Doha and Miami. She also reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon and the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, although she experienced early exits at the Australian Open and the US Open.
Despite a series of critical withdrawals over the past year—including missing her title defenses at Indian Wells and Rome—Rybakina has secured her place in the WTA Finals, currently sitting in fifth with 4,971 points. As she prepares for her return, all eyes will be on how she performs in the coming weeks.