Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the upcoming Qatar Open in Doha due to a packed schedule. The world number 10 recently lost the Australian Open final against Aryna Sabalenka.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 11, 2023 07:47 IST
Rybakina pulls out of Qatar Open in Doha (AP)
By India Today Web Desk: Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the upcoming Qatar Open in Doha due to a packed schedule. The world number 10 recently lost the Australian Open final against Aryna Sabalenka.
The 23-year-old started off 2023 in great fashion, reaching the 2023 Australian Open final before losing to Sabalenka over the course of three sets. Speaking about the Qatar Open, Rybakina confirmed that she would not be travelling to Doha, citing scheduling issues.
“Unfortunately, I’m not gonna go to Doha. I’m really looking forward to come back next year but this time I’m not going. Schedule-wise it’s not easy to travel so much. I played really well in Melbourne so it’s really better for me just to rest & prepare the next week,” said Rybakina.
Rybakina reached the quarter-finals of the Abu Dhabi Open but was defeated by Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-3, 3-6, 2-6. The Brazilian survived 19 aces off of Rybakina’s racquet, and never lost serve in the second and third sets, to secure an impressive victory.
Speaking after her win, Haddad Maia praise Rybakina, calling her one of the best players in the world, insisting she had a tough battle with the world number 10.
“Today was a very tough battle. Rybakina, she’s a very good player, one of the best players in the world, so I knew I had to push myself every single game, especially on her serve. I was trying to find a way to return, to break her, to give myself one more chance, and I’m happy with my win,” Haddad Maia said.
Having withdrawn from the Qatar Open, Rybakina will be looking forward to the WTA 1000 event in Dubai, for which she has already signed up. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see who steps up in the Kazakh’s absence to win the Qatar Open in Doha.