Elina Svitolina withdraws in Cincinnati and raises doubts for the US Open.

Elina Svitolina, one of the fittest tennis players on the circuit, saw her participation in the Cincinnati Open come to an abrupt halt due to an injury to her right ankle, just two weeks before the US Open. The world number 9 withdrew before her third-round match against Wang Xiyu, a decision that raises serious concerns about her physical condition for the tournament in New York.

“Unfortunately, I tried my best to recover, but the injury I sustained in Toronto, exacerbated by the second-round match, hasn’t healed as I hoped,” Svitolina stated in a release. “I was looking forward to playing here. I have, of course, great memories of competing in Cincinnati. I’m very sad to have to withdraw at this stage.”

The ankle injury first arose during the Toronto tournament, where Svitolina reached the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Iga Swiatek. In Cincinnati, her battle in the second round against Tereza Valentova was a true demonstration of resilience, where she required a medical timeout and managed to save seven match points in a tie-break before winning the final set 6-0. However, that bravery came at a cost, and less than 48 hours later, her body could not respond.

Wang Xiyu advances to the next round by default, while Svitolina focuses entirely on recovery. Her withdrawal is particularly painful, not only because of the form she was in but also because of what is at stake. Since returning to the circuit as a mother, Svitolina has been building one of the most dominant seasons of her career, rising to her highest ranking in years. A severe injury now would be a cruel injustice.

In addition to her sporting achievements, a personal milestone is also at risk. Svitolina is preparing for her mixed doubles debut at the US Open with her husband, Gael Monfils. As this is Monfils' farewell year, it may be their only opportunity to share a Grand Slam court, a moment they have both long dreamed of. Svitolina has openly discussed how she has been supporting Monfils during his emotional retirement process, and now her own physical condition threatens to overshadow that experience.

Svitolina's history in Grand Slam tournaments is not without challenges; she has faced significant issues in previous editions, such as at Wimbledon 2019 (back) and the Australian Open 2021 (knee), with pain defining her journey. This time, the stakes are even higher, with a strong season, a position in the top 10, and a family milestone that could be unique.

Now, everything depends on how quickly her ankle heals. The US Open awaits, as does Monfils.