"Elena Rybakina and Jannik Sinner never beating twins allegations"; "I need answers!" - Tennis fans stunned as Kazakh withdraws from Paris Olympics

Elena Rybakina withdrew from the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday, July 25. The Kazakh’s no-show stunned tennis fans online, who were eager to see her bag a medal after she finished fourth at the Tokyo event.

Rybakina was the third seed at the Games, behind Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. However, she was reportedly nowhere to be seen in the Olympic Village, unlike other players who’ve been frequently sharing updates about their pre-event experience. The World No. 4’s social media silence had created a lot of buzz among fans.

While speculation was rife about her possible withdrawal, Elena Rybakina didn't make any such announcement. The Kazakh also secured her place against Jaqueline Cristian in the draw, which was announced on Thursday. Interestingly, she also featured in the mixed doubles line-up alongside compatriot Alexander Bublik, with Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz as their first opponents.

However, just hours after the draw, Australia’s Daria Saville replaced Elena Rybakina, sending shockwaves through the tennis community. She cited “acute bronchitis” as the reason for her withdrawal. Saville now faces China’s Zheng Qinwen, while France’s Caroline Garcia faces Cristian.

Expressing shock about the development, one fan on X said:

"Strange, no one even saw her in Paris, why wait so long. There should be a deadline by which you can withdraw. There was a draw, now everything has to change."

"Omg? I thought people were just joking when they said it," another fan said.

A few fans compared Rybakina’s withdrawal to Jannik Sinner’s. The World No. 1, who was the top seed in both singles and men’s doubles, announced his withdrawal on Wednesday, citing tonsillitis.

This is not the first time Elena Rybakina and Sinner have pulled out of a tournament this season. The two have become infamous among the tennis community for their frequent illness- or injury-related withdrawals.

This season, Rybakina retired in Dubai and Berlin and pulled out of the Indian Wells Open, Italian Open and the Eastbourne International. Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, gave a walkover at the Madrid Open, withdrew from the Italian Open, and cited illness following his semi-final exit at Wimbledon.

"Oh my goodness, just tired of her withdrawing from major tournament events as Sinner. Why don’t they retire all together," one fan said.

"Jannik and Elena never beating the twins allegations," another fan said.

"What is going on with Ryba?? I need answers!" another fan chimed in.

Here are a few more reaction from tennis fans on X:

---

Elena Rybakina and Jannik Sinner aren't the only singles players to withdraw from Paris Olympics 2024

2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina pictured at the 2024 Championships (Image Source: Getty)

Besides Elena Rybakina and Jannik Sinner, several others have also pulled out of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Among the top players, World No. 7 Hubert Hurkacz, who injured his knee during his Wimbledon campaign, announced his withdrawal earlier this week. The Pole was supposed to bid for medals in all three categories: singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles with Iga Swiatek.

Former World No. 4 Holger Rune, who pulled out of the Croatia Open due to a wrist injury, announced his Olympic withdrawal on Wednesday. Tokyo silver medalist and 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, too, made a similar call, citing a hand injury.

It's worth noting that many other top tennis players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, Frances Tiafoe, Emma Raducanu and Ben Shelton, decided against competing in Paris, pointing to the hectic schedule and the quick change of surface from clay-grass to clay-hardcourt.