Elena Rybakina left Tokyo after criticizing the competition and the WTA for not conceding a bye. Maria Sakkari and Caroline Garcia are both rated lower than Rybakina, but because the WTA is testing performance byes in Tokyo, they received top-4 seeds ahead of the Kazakh.

Rybakina was given the fifth seed and was paired with Linda Noskova in the first round of the Tokyo tournament rather than a top-4 seed and a first-round bye. Rybakina criticized the WTA fiercely before deciding to leave the competition.

She released the following statement: “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 prioritize my health and fitness and need time to get to 100 percent health.”

Elena Rybakina in 2023

At the moment ranked no.

5, the Kazakhstani played her last match on the 1^st of September when she was overcome by world no.26 Sorana Cirstea 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4 in the 3^rd round of the U.S. Open (draw).

This year the Kazakhstani achieved a 42-12 win-loss record. The Kazakhstani clinched 2 titles in 2023 in Indian Wells and Rome. Elena was the runner-up at the Australian Open and Miami.

Elena Rybakina

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