A Day After Serena Williams’ Coach’s Vociferous Backing, Elena Rybakina Takes Utterly Bizarre Decision Despite Explosive WTA Rant

Elena Rybakina has been one of the top WTA players this season. The Kazakhstan player has been the top seed in many tournaments, and the situation was the same in the Japan Open, a WTA 500 event. But an issue of ‘Byes’ caused her to stir up quite the storm, which drew much attention. However, now she has taken a step that is confusing everyone.

The move comes a day after she received support from a prominent tennis personality. Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, talked about her situation and favored the Indian Wells champion. But her decision now will evoke another round of discussion on social media.

Elena Rybakina takes a drastic step in Tokyo

Set to go big in the Tokyo Open, Rybakina was surprised that she did not receive a performance bye. Players seeded lower than her moved on to round two right away. Rybakina chastised WTA organizers with a scathing remark right after, which caused quite a storm on social media regarding the issues of byes. 

She generated support from many tennis personalities, and people lambasted the WTA left and right. But, the situation has now become bizarre as Rybakina decided to withdraw from the tournament.

She commented on her decision later. “I’m really sorry to have to withdraw from Tokyo this year. I was really looking forward to playing the event and I love the city. I have to prioritise my health and fitness and need time to get to 100 per cent health“.

Her decision to withdraw shocked many fans who were supporting her arguments against the draw. It also comes just a day after Serena Williams’ former coach announced his support of her.

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Serena Williams’ former coach on the Tokyo Open fiasco

Rybakina did not play in the WTA 1000 event in Guadalajara, and thus she did not receive a performance bye. Caroline Garcia, who went quite deep in the tournament and Maria Sakkari, who won the championship but seeded lower than Rybakina, got byes. After the decision, Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, reprimanded the WTA for not giving her a bye because of this situation. 

She further said that seeded players should not be treated differently for not playing the tournament a week before. Even tennis influencer Rachel Stuhlmann came out in support of the player. Like Stubbs, she also lambasted the WTA for their decision-making. Now that Rybakina is withdrawing, the Tokyo Open will continue without the controversy. But the blemish will not go from their name anytime soon. 

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