Rybakina’s decision was reported by the WTA’s Chinese-language profile. “Rybakina, a semi-finalist in last year’s tournament and the fourth player in the world, has withdrawn from the China Open 2024 due to a back injury. We hope she will recover and play again soon,” reads the brief statement, which is nevertheless devastating for the hosts of the tournament in Beijing.
Just one day earlier, Danielle Collins withdrew from the competition, also citing health reasons. A whole host of players had previously taken a similar step. The following players will definitely not play in the Chinese capital: Ons Jabeur (ended her season due to injury, 22nd place in the WTA ranking), Victoria Azarenka (19th place in the WTA ranking), Linda Noskova (27th world player), Elina Svitolina (ended her season due to injury, 28th place in the WTA ranking), Caroline Garcia (29th tennis player), Karolina Pliskova, Marie Bouzkova and Caroline Wozniacki.
Due to personal matters, I have to withdraw from the China Open in Beijing. I am very sorry as I had a great time playing and winning that tournament last year and was really looking forward to getting back there. I know the fans will experience some great tennis there and I am sorry that I will not be a part of it this time,” the Pole said in a statement.
Rybakina’s absence from the tournament was also a huge loss. When tennis fans around the world were watching with interest the competition at the top of the rankings, where Świątek was defending the leader’s position against Aryna Sabalenka, the third one joined the fight. The player from Kazakhstan was second in the WTA Race ranking and was the only player from the top six to be in the semi-finals of Wimbledon. By the way, Polish fans remembered that Rybakina remained a very uncomfortable rival for Iga Świątek. Now, however, both the Pole and the Kazakh will be missing in China.
The Chinese wanted to create a tournament that could possibly rival the Grand Slams. The opposite happened. The capital of their country will not feature the biggest names, which makes the China Open a completely marginal event in the world of women’s tennis.
