Viral Illness Threatens Wimbledon Chances for 23-Year-Old Defending Champion as She Announces Unfortunate Health Update

Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Rothesay International Eastbourne, a crucial warm-up event, ahead of the upcoming third Grand Slam of the year. Rybakina’s absence raises concerns about her physical condition as she aims to defend her title at Wimbledon, set to commence in the following week from July 3rd 2023.

Tennis fans around the world were captivated by the remarkable journey of the Moscow-born Kazakh, Elena Rybakina, as she claimed the prestigious Wimbledon title last year.

Rising star Elena Rybakina faces new challenges

Hailing from Moscow, Russia, but representing Kazakhstan, Elena Rybakina has captivated the tennis world with her remarkable talent and unwavering determination throughout the 2023 season. Following her triumphant victory at Wimbledon last year, she has steadily climbed the global rankings, establishing herself as one of the sport’s rising stars.

However, Rybakina’s road to Wimbledon glory has hit a stumbling block recently. Just a few weeks ago, she was forced to withdraw from the French Open ahead of her third-round match due to a viral illness. This unexpected setback raised concerns about her ability to regain peak physical condition in time for the upcoming tournaments. Now, she has also withdrawn from the Rothesay International due to illness.

The news of Rybakina’s withdrawal from the Eastbourne event was shared by LTA, via a tweet.

Rybakina’s loss in Berlin and lingering physical struggles

In her most recent appearance, Rybakina was defeated by Donna Vekic in the round of 16 at the Grass Court Championships in Berlin. This loss, coupled with her ongoing physical struggles, further emphasized her admission that she has not yet reached her desired level of fitness. The viral illness has taken its toll on her body, and she acknowledged that she is not yet operating at full capacity.

Due to Rybakina’s withdrawal, Barbora Krejcikova, who reached the final in Birmingham last week, stepped into Rybakina’s position as the No.10 seed.

ALSO READ: Moments After Thumping Reigning Wimbledon Champion, Donna Vekic Proves Andy Roddick Wrong With an Honest Assessment of the Current WTA Tennis Stars

As the countdown to Wimbledon continues, tennis enthusiasts can only hope for Rybakina’s swift recovery and her triumphant return to the court, where she will undoubtedly captivate audiences with her extraordinary skills and inspire a new generation of tennis players.

Will Rybakina defend her Wimbledon title? Let us know in the comments.

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