"We understood the risks to Elena Rybakina's health" - KTF vice president sheds light on illness that led to Kazakh's Paris Olympics withdrawal

The vice president of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation recently shed light on Elena Rybakina’s health struggles that led to her 2024 Paris Olympics withdrawal. He revealed that the World No. 4 fell ill just before the event, during her training block.

Rybakina pulled out of the ongoing event in Paris on Thursday, July 25, just hours after the announcement of the draw. She was set to compete in women’s singles and mixed doubles with Alexander Bublik, accounting for two potential medals for Kazakhstan. She faced backlash due to her late withdrawal, considering she was one of the favorites to clinch the gold.

In her statement, Elena Rybakina revealed her “acute bronchitis” diagnosis, noting that the doctors “forbade her to go out on the court.” Addressing the 2022 Wimbledon champion’s health issues, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation vice president, Dias Doskarayev, recently said:

"Immediately after Wimbledon, Elena was advised to recuperate, which was necessary after a long tournament," he said in his answers posted on the organization’s official Instagram page (translated).

Doskarayev emphasized Rybakina’s 2023 COVID-19 struggles, which, he hinted, made her prone to illnesses. It is worth noting that the Kazakh has frequently pulled out of tournaments since 2023 due to allergies and stomach disorders.

"We understood the risks to her health – Elena had suffered two COVIDs in 2023, and this year she withdrew from tournaments in Rome and Indian Wells for health reasons," he noted.

Elena Rybakina traveled to Turkey following her Wimbledon semifinal loss to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova earlier in July. In light of her Paris Olympics withdrawal, she caught flak for taking the trip. Clarifying the details of her getaway, Dias Doskarayev said:

"As a result it was decided that a brief vacation and sea air in Turkey would do her good. There she underwent light training on general physical preparation, including swimming, stretching, jogging and so on."

He, however, revealed that despite her efforts, she fell sick during her pre-Olympics training block.

"After that, the intensive preparatory period for the Olympics with comprehensive on-court training began – that’s when Elena started to feel health problems," he said.

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"Elena Rybakina has taken several tests" – Kazakhstan Tennis Federation vice president Dias Doskarayev

Elena Rybakina pictured at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships - Source: Getty

Shedding light on Elena Rybakina’s recovery, Vice President Doskarayev said:

"She is feeling better, but she is still weak," he said in the aforementioned Q & A posted on Instagram.

He added that the 2023 Indian Wells champion has consulted specialists in Vienna regarding her health.

"She has taken several tests, undergone a full examination by a pulmonologist and other specialists at the Dobling Clinic in Vienna," Doskarayev added. "So far Elena has received a treatment protocol from the doctors and is recovering from her illness in Bratislava (Slovakia), where her training base is located."

Despite her health struggles, Elena Rybakina has clinched three titles this season at the WTA 500s in Stuttgart, Abu Dhabi, and Brisbane. She also featured in two other finals at the WTA 1000 Miami Open and Qatar Open.

Presently, the 25-year-old is second in the race to the year-end World No. 1. Following her Canadian Open (August 6–12) withdrawal, though, she would hope to make the most of the remaining events to have a chance at the coveted spot.