Elena Rybakina’s grass-court season hasn’t gone according to plan. The World No. 2 had initially targeted three warm-up events ahead of Wimbledon, but has since scrapped the strategy after just one win and two losses.
After her failed stints at Queen’s Club and Berlin, Rybakina cited physical discomfort to withdraw from the Bad Homburg Open.
Elena Rybakina To Consult With Her Medical Team Ahead of Wimbledon
Rybakina entered the grass swing following a rather forgettable run on clay. She started strong, winning the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, but endured premature losses in Madrid, Rome, and Paris.
With renewed hope, she began her grass campaign at Queen’s Club as the top seed. After a 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-0 comeback victory against defending champion Tatjana Maria, the player suffered a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 loss against Katie Boulter on the same day at the rain-hit event.
She then competed at the Berlin Tennis Open, where, after a first-round bye, she lost her opening match against Alexandra Eala 7-5, 6-4. A day after the upset, Rybakina canceled her Bad Homburg appearance.
“Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from Bad Homburg due to some discomfort in my right hip,” she said on Friday, according to the tournament’s official social media account.
The 27-year-old cast uncertainty over the remainder of her grass campaign by saying, “I need to consult with my medical team before making any decisions about the next steps. Thank you for your understanding and support.”
Elena Rybakina withdraw from Bad Hombourg next week.
“Right hip discomfort” pic.twitter.com/QFn6UOFgGY— Sebastien G. (@sebsharfam2) June 19, 2026
Rybakina would hope to recover before Wimbledon, which begins on June 29. She is on the hunt for her third Grand Slam title, having won at SW19 in 2022 and at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Many observers flagged concerns over her busy grass-court schedule earlier this month, also pointing to a potential World No. 1 chase. Had she made deep runs at the three events, she would have been in position to replace Aryna Sabalenka as the World No. 1. Rybakina presently trails Sabalenka by 947 points. At Wimbledon, she is defending 130 points while Sabalenka has 780 points at stake from her semifinal run from last year.
It remains to be seen whether the Kazakhstani player turns the page on her grass-court season to make a mark at the upcoming Grand Slam.
