Rybakina withdraws from Billie Jean King Cup after US Open triumph

Newly crowned world No. 1 Elena Rybakina will miss Kazakhstan’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals campaign in Shenzhen, China, as she takes time to recover from an Achilles injury that continued to trouble her during her breakthrough US Open triumph.

Rybakina announced her withdrawal Friday, just six days after defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final to claim her third Grand Slam title and move to the top of the WTA rankings. She became the first player representing Kazakhstan to reach No. 1 in the women’s rankings.

“I have to announce that I won’t be able to participate in Billie Jean King Cup this year,” Rybakina wrote on Instagram. “I am very sad to miss Shenzhen, such a nice place with an amazing crowd. Last month has been tough for my body and I will need to recover and be at my best to compete again. I wish girls good luck.”

The decision follows a physically demanding stretch that included the US Open and an injury that first forced Rybakina out of Cincinnati last month.

The Kazakhstan Tennis Federation said Rybakina suffered an Achilles tendon injury at the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati, where she withdrew from her quarterfinal match. The problem persisted through the US Open, with the federation saying she played her final matches in New York while taking painkillers.

Despite the injury, Rybakina produced one of the strongest performances of her career in New York. She defeated Sabalenka in a three-set final to win her first US Open title, adding to her Australian Open crown from January and her Wimbledon triumph in 2022.

The US Open victory also completed a remarkable season for Rybakina, who has now won both hard-court Grand Slam tournaments in 2026. Her victory over Sabalenka ended the Belarusian’s run at No. 1 and sent Rybakina to the top of the rankings for the first time.

Now, however, her immediate focus is recovery.

According to her coaching team, Rybakina will need at least two weeks of treatment and rehabilitation before returning to full training. She is scheduled to undergo further medical examinations in Kazakhstan, where she will also spend time meeting fans and conducting tennis masterclasses for young players in Astana and Almaty.

Her absence is a major setback for Kazakhstan ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, which will be held at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center from Sept. 22-27.

Kazakhstan are scheduled to face Spain in the quarterfinals on Sept. 23. The team had included Rybakina alongside Yulia Putintseva, Anna Danilina, Zhibek Kulambayeva and Sonya Zhiyenbayeva, with Yuriy Schukin serving as captain.

Rybakina’s withdrawal leaves Putintseva as the leading singles player in the Kazakhstan lineup, while the team will also draw on its doubles options against Spain.

Italy are the defending champions, having won the Billie Jean King Cup in each of the past two editions.

DAILYSABAH