November 3, 2023; Cancun, Mexico; Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) throws the ball during the match against Aryna Sabalenka on the sixth day of the GNP Saguaros Cancun WTA finals. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports Kazakh player Elena Rybakina withdrew from the Paris Olympic tennis competition on Thursday.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion withdrew from the tournament just hours after the draw was announced at Roland Garros.
Rybakina is seeded third in singles and will also compete in mixed doubles with Alexander Bublik.
Rybakina, 25, fell ill, the Kazakh Tennis Federation said in a statement posted on its website.
The statement read: “Elena is currently suffering from acute bronchitis. The doctor not only strictly prohibits her from appearing in court, but even prohibits her from flying to participate in activities.” “Rebakina is actively preparing for the game and hopes to play a high-level competition in the Olympics , but this is now impossible due to her medical condition.”
The eight-time WTA Tour champion lost to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics bronze medal match.
French player Caroline Garcia will enter the draw as the 17th seed to replace Rybakina, and Australian player Daria Saville will enter the draw as a substitute.
–Scene-level media