Today: 7 August 2025
4 June 2023
2 mins read

Elena Rybakina withdraws from French Open

The 23-year-old told reporters she began feeling ill after her second-round match. She hoped to be able to play but struggled to sustain 10 minutes of work on the court….reports Asian Lite News

World No.4 Elena Rybakina on Saturday withdrew from the French Open due to an upper respiratory illness.

The reigning Wimbledon champion announced her withdrawal before she was due to take the court for her third-round match against Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo.

The 23-year-old told reporters she began feeling ill after her second-round match. She hoped to be able to play but struggled to sustain 10 minutes of work on the court.

“I saw the doctor and they said that actually, it’s all a virus here in Paris. I guess with my allergy, my immune system just went down and I picked up something. As I said, I was not sleeping well for two days. I had a fever and headache. I think you can hear [my voice] also,” Rybakina was quoted as saying by WTA.

“So, yeah, it’s difficult to perform and obviously to run and even breathe. So I think that was the only right decision I could make,” she added.

A champion of two WTA 1000 events this year, including most recently on the clay in Rome two weeks ago, Rybakina was bidding to build on her momentum in Paris, where she was a quarterfinalist in 2021.

She did not lose a set through her first two rounds of the tournament, defeating Brenda Fruhvirtova and Linda Noskova. Her 6-3, 6-3 win over Noskova was her eighth win in a row.

“Of course, I’m really upset about not being able to play, but I guess that’s life. There are a lot of ups and downs. Today I just wanted to give 100 percent, and obviously, I’m far from being 100 percent,” Rybakina said further.

“Yeah, I was actually coming positive here, but as I said, you never know how you’re gonna feel. Was unlucky for me. Yeah, I just try to recover and do my best to be prepared for the grass season already,” she added.

Rybakina’s next tournaments during the grass season are scheduled to be Berlin, Eastbourne, and her title defense at Wimbledon.

With Rybakina’s withdrawal, Sorribes Tormo advances via walkover and is into her first Round of 16 at a Slam. She will await the winner of 14th-seed Beatriz Haddad Maia or 23rd-seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.

ALSO READ: Sevilla lifts seventh Europa League title

Previous Story

Casper Ruud beats Zhang Zhizhen to enter French Open last 16

Next Story

‘Kerala Crime Files’: Trailer hints at a high octane drama

Latest from Sport

Gill Makes Cut

Batting at number four in his first series as captain, Gill combined stability with attacking flair, and stepped seamlessly into the talismanic Virat Kohli’s roled…reports Asian Lite News India Test captain Shubman

‘Not Bichare Anymore’

Sania Mirza said society still expects female athletes to be demure, but it’s up to them to act like world beaters and demand the attention they deserve….reports Asian Lite News When the

‘Here to Win’

Rayan expressed his pride and happiness after signing for Manchester City Ahead of the Premier League 2025-26 season, Rayan Ait-Nouri reflected on joining Manchester City with pride and excitement. He discussed his

Injury Clouds Hopes

With Ravindra Jadeja coming out to bat, the look on Pant’s face suggested that the injury could turn out to be a big issue for India. India have been handed a fresh

134 and Glorious

The 134th Durand Cup Returns to Its Spiritual Home in Kolkata, Showcasing Asia’s Oldest and the World’s Third-Oldest Football Tournament…reports Asian Lite News West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has inaugurated the
Go toTop