Iga Świątek was denied the contest she had hoped for against Elena Rybakina, as the latter’s Cincinnati Open campaign reached a heartbreaking end. After just 30 minutes of play, Rybakina was forced to retire with a left-foot injury, extending her wait to claim the World No. 1 ranking.
Świątek expressed concern for Rybakina’s well-being during her on-court interview following the abrupt retirement.
Iga Świątek Reacts to Elena Rybakina’s Injury Retirement at the Cincinnati Open
Świątek and Rybakina set up a rematch in Cincinnati a week after their meeting in the Canadian Open final, where Świątek prevailed in straight sets.
Rybakina entered the contest with wins against Taylor Townsend, Magdalena Fręch, and Diana Shnaider, while Świątek, the defending champion, beat the likes of Emiliana Arango, Maria Sakkari, and Diane Parry to book a place in the quarterfinal.
The highly anticipated clash was cut short when Rybakina appeared to suffer an Achilles injury while trailing 1-4 (40-40) in the opening set. The World No. 2 attempted to carry on but was ultimately unable to continue and retired from the match. Świątek immediately went over to check on her opponent before Rybakina left the court.
During her on-court interview, the six-time Grand Slam champion said, “Honestly, I was feeling anxious just looking at the situation. I hope Elena will be fine.”
The 27-year-old’s exit just days before the US Open was especially alarming for Świątek. “Obviously, the next tournament is the priority. I know this one is important as well. But US Open is US Open. I hope she’s going to be ready for that.”
Rybakina was within touching distance of becoming the World No. 1 after Aryna Sabalenka was knocked out in the fourth round. She needed just two more wins to dethrone the Belarusian and claim the top spot for the first time. Given the unfortunate turn of events, Świątek was visibly disappointed.
“She’s also super close to being No. 1 in the world. It’s a shame because I thought we were playing a good match. But health is a priority. I hope she’s going to be okay.”
Regardless of whether Rybakina competes at the US Open, Sabalenka will begin her title defense 1,391 points behind her in the live rankings. This means the Belarusian will have to successfully defend her title and win the tournament to retain the World No. 1 ranking.
However, World No. 3 Jessica Pegula, who is still in contention for the title in Cincinnati, stands a chance at leapfrogging the pair if she wins both the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. The American faces Świątek next. As for the Pole, she has found her rhythm after a difficult seven months, highlighted by a single semifinal appearance.
Ever since launching her title-winning run in Toronto, Świątek has looked virtually unstoppable, beating multiple in-form players, including Rybakina, Marta Kostyuk, and Elina Svitolina. When asked about her form on Thursday, she said:
“I feel great. I feel ready to play my best game. The last weeks have been giving me a lot of confidence, so I’m happy to be here playing good tennis — tennis that I like and I enjoy, and, for sure, it’s fun.”
Iga Świątek is bidding for her 13th WTA 1000 title and 27th career trophy at the Cincinnati Open. The defending champion will be aiming to retain her crown and carry that momentum into the US Open, where she is targeting a seventh Grand Slam title and a second triumph in New York.
