US Open fourth seed suddenly withdraws from tournament hours before second-round tie | Tennis | Sport

Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the US Open, citing injuries for her decision to hand Jessika Ponchet a walkover just hours before they were due on court. The world No. 4 had been due to close out the day’s action on Court 17 but French qualifier Ponchet will now enter the third round.

Rybakina has struggled with injuries and illness this year, also pulling out of Indian Wells and the Rome Masters. The 25-year-old also split from her coach and gave a terse interview after her first round match in New York.

Another injury has seen Rybakina withdraw from the US Open. Official confirmation came just hours before she was due on court alongside Pochet.

She said: “Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from my match today due to my injuries.

“I did not want to finish the last Grand Slam of the year this way but I have to listen to my body, and I hope I can close out the remainder of the year strong. Thank you to all the fans who have and continue to support me, and I wish the remaining players good luck.”

Rybakina recently split from her long-term coach Stefano Vukov and gave a blunt press conference when questions were asked of her decision after she defeated Destanee Aiava earlier this week. The meeting with the media lasted less than two minutes and the former Wimbledon champion uttered only 87 words.

When the moderator asked Rybakina to assess her performance, she said: “Thank you. Yeah, really happy with the win and looking forward for the next match, of course.”

Rybakina was then asked questions about her split from Vukov and responded: “Well, of course, it is different. We worked for five years, but still, I got support from Yuri Shchukin and same, we talked about the tactic and everything, so I was prepared for the match.”

Questioned over her decision to part from Vukov just before the US Open, she said: “Well, I don’t want to talk about it too much, but yeah, that was our decision, to split.”

Growing frustrated over the line of questioning, Rybakina concluded: “I will let you know, guys, if my coach situation is going to change, so…”

It came just months after she shut down questions at the French Open by insisting: “Simple questions, simple answers.”

Rybakina was not requested to perform media duties after her following match.