"Whole year was difficult" - Elena Rybakina gets honest about "immune system" struggles and prolonged absence ahead of Australian Open

Elena Rybakina opened up about her prolonged absence from tour-level events in 2024. The WTA star pointed at physical and emotional intricacies as the reason behind her time off. Although there were injury concerns bothering the Kazakh, her immunity also turned out to be the staggering rationale.

Rybakina started keeping her distance from competition right after her second-round exit at the 2024 US Open. She had to pull out because of experiencing immense pain amid injuries. Feeling saddened about walking out of the last grand slam of the season this way, she mentioned it was because of listening to her body on priority.

In a pre-event press conference at the 2025 Australian Open, the WTA star mentioned how there was more to just injuries that she dealt with. She revealed going through immune system struggles throughout her 3-month long absence.

"Of course, I want to say it's not easy when you got used to travel every week. To make decision also to not play, not to push yourself, because you are competitor. At the end of the day, you always want to be better. For me the whole year was pretty difficult. Coming back from Melbourne, like the issues with sleep started. It's been going on for a long time. So of course it was not easy," she said.

Giving out details about the insomnia situation, Rybakina explained how things went worse and it started laying ill effects on her immune system.

"Well, as I said, when my insomnia started, the whole immune system went down. I kept on pushing. Maybe I should have take the rest a little bit earlier. For five or six years I'm on tour, I'm playing non-stop. Even in off-season we have maybe one or two weeks. I was struggling during Wimbledon. After that I had only four days and I got sick again," she added.

Elena Rybakina has battled past multiple injuries in 2024. While the US Open exit was already a massive hit, the abrupt split from coach Stefano Vukov turned into another controversy that continued to bother her. While the latest addition, Goran Ivanisevic has emerged as the aid, fans have high expectations from the Kazakh again.

Goran Ivanisevic denies taking a call on Elena Rybakina's situation

Spain v Croatia: Group B - UEFA EURO 2024 - Source: Getty

Elena Rybakina's new coach Goran Ivanisevic was recently exposed to questions about the ongoing controversy with Stefano Vukov. The Croatian saved himself from offering a direct take but expressed his curiosity in finding out in which direction the case proceeds.

"It's a situation that doesn't do anyone any good. The investigation is still ongoing, so let's wait for the WTA to finish, then I can talk about everything. But until then... I've already spoken to Elena and told her what I think," he said.

On being asked about the certainty of him backing the Kazakh as a long-term mentor, Ivanisevic didn't really come up with a confident remark.

"For the moment I'm here. What will happen in a couple of days, I don't know. For the moment I'm here. I hope to stay and that everything goes well. It's a very strange situation, so I don't want to talk about it. I can only talk about it after the WTA's decision," he added.

Rybakina is currently looking forward to her 2025 Australian Open campaign with the opening round match against Emerson Jones from Australia. With Goran Ivanisevic by his side at the moment, fans are yet to witness the changes in her game.