"Finally something; she looks good"; "WAR IS OVER" - Fans react as Elena Rybakina makes rare appearance amid continued on-court absence

Tennis fans were thrilled to see Elena Rybakina make a rare appearance in the middle of her ongoing absence from the court. The Kazakh star has withdrawn from multiple events this season, citing injuries and illnesses.

Rybakina was spotted in an Instagram story posted by her friend and fellow tennis player Amina Anshba. In the picture, the World No. 4 was standing with Anshba and their mutual friend, tennis player Sofya Lanseré.

A fan shared the Instagram story on X (formerly Twitter), and many fans in the replies were thrilled to see the Kazakh star. After a tough season marred by injuries, illnesses, and her split from longtime coach Stefano Vukov, fans were happy to see the 25-year-old looking well.

"She's alive and looks glowing," one fan wrote

"Finally rybanations have something to post outside making speculations, or drawing conclusions from inaccurate information she’s breathing and alive, which is kind of enough for us right now," another fan wrote.

"Oh wow, finally something. She looks good there plus happy. Good signs. Definitely using the time off to rest and recover it appears," a third fan wrote.

Here are some more fan reactions to Elena Rybakina's appearance:

"Incredible we have to cheer for being "alive" like she had won something. I love her also for this ahah," one fan wrote.

"WAR IS OVER," another fan wrote.

"Great news. She looks fine, still hasn't gained some weight yet but she looks good," yet another fan wrote.

Despite her many withdrawals from tournaments this year, Rybakina has enough points to qualify for the WTA Finals, in the current standings.

---

Elena Rybakina still on course to qualify for the WTA Finals after multiple withdrawals throughout 2024

Elena Rybakina at the 2024 US Open (Image: Getty)

Elena Rybakina was in inspired form earlier in the season when she won three titles. However, signs of a difficult period to follow were already showing. She had withdrawn from the Dubai Tennis Championships and the Indian Wells before pulling out of the Italian Open.

Rybakina reached the quarterfinal of the French Open and the semifinal of Wimbledon but has played only two matches since then.

The Kazakh player was knocked out in her campaign opener at the Cincinnati Open by Leylah Fernandez. After winning her first-round match at the US Open against Destanee Aiava, she withdrew before the next round.

The World No. 4 is still on course to qualify for the WTA Finals. She is currently ranked third in the Race to Riyadh with 4981 points behind only the already-qualified players Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.

Jasmine Paolini, with 4865 points, Jessica Pegula with 4466, Coco Gauff with 3968, and Emma Navarro, with 3568 points, occupy the rest of the automatic qualifying spots.