Elena Rybakina, a name that resonates with tennis fans worldwide, has made headlines once again, but this time for an unexpected and unfortunate reason. The reigning Australian Open champion was considered the top contender for the 2026 Dubai Championships, yet she became the latest star to withdraw from the tournament, leaving fans and analysts alike buzzing with questions about her health and future in the competition.
In a dramatic showdown against Antonia Ruzic, Rybakina's match took a turn for the worse in the third round. After a fiercely contested encounter that saw her battling through adversity, the world No. 3 decided to retire after being broken in the very first game of the third set, with the score at 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 against her Croatian opponent. The match was fraught with tension from the start, as Rybakina struggled to find her rhythm. Despite losing her serve early on, she showed resilience, coming back from a break down to snatch the first set. However, her performance was marred by five double faults and a staggering seven break points saved.
As the match progressed, it became evident that Rybakina was not at her best. Ruzic, ranked No. 67 in the world, managed to secure the only break of the second set, further complicating Rybakina's efforts. When she called for a physio during the match, the situation took a turn for the serious. Rybakina revealed her discomfort, stating, “I have pain in the legs… [and] just sick, like nausea.” The physio probed further, asking if she had eaten that morning, to which Rybakina responded, “No, I ate, but in the morning… it was just a heavy head, I didn’t sleep well from yesterday. So I’m going to stop.” Her determination to halt the match was clear as she acknowledged her fatigue and leg pain, telling the physio, “I don’t see the reason to continue.”
Rybakina's withdrawal marks a significant moment in the tournament, as she becomes the fifth player to retire mid-match in Dubai, joining an alarming trend where several top players have either withdrawn before or during the event. Notably, three players have also given walkovers, while a staggering eleven—including big names like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek—pulled out before the tournament even began.
This year has been a whirlwind for Rybakina, who has already participated in four tournaments this season, with the Dubai Championships being her second in consecutive weeks. Just last week, she reached the quarter-finals at the Qatar Open, and her remarkable journey this year began with a triumph at the Australian Open in January.
As the tennis world watches closely, the implications of Rybakina's retirement resonate beyond the court. Her early exit not only impacts her own rankings and momentum but also opens the door for other players, like the lucky loser Ruzic, who will now face world No. 9 Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals. This incident underscores the unpredictable nature of the sport and raises concerns about player health amid an intense schedule.
With Rybakina's status now in question, fans are left hoping for her swift recovery and a return to form as the season progresses. As the Dubai Championships continue, the spotlight remains on the players who remain, and the tournament's landscape is dramatically altered with each withdrawal.
