Russian-Kazakhstani star Elena Rybakina will not be in action at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s ‘One Point Challenge,’ the entertaining event scheduled for April 13 on the Center Court at the Porsche Arena. Her missing the pre-tournament event and the Stuttgart Open’s practice session has garnered concern from fans.
Elena Rybakina Withdraws From One Point Challenge, Raising Concern Over Her Appearance at Stuttgart
Rybakina, the 2024 champion, will be entering the tournament as the top seed, followed by Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, Elina Svitolina, Jasmine Paolini, Mirra Andreeva, and other elite stars. The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, a WTA 500 event, is scheduled from April 13 to 19 at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany.
However, before the title action begins, the event has organized an exciting show following the success of Australia’s One Point Slam. The Porsche One Point Challenge will feature an exciting competition among 16 professional players, celebrities, and amateurs in a knock-out format.
Each match will be decided by one point and will feature elites, including Jelena Ostapenko, Laura Siegemund, Jasmine Paolini, Porsche Friend Eva Lys, Paula Badosa, Elena Svitolina, among others. In an Instagram post, Porsche Tennis announced that Rybakina will not be playing at the event.
They added, “@paulabadosa and @elisvitolina will be joining the Porsche One Point Challenge! Unfortunately, Elena Rybakina can’t participate in tomorrow’s event, but we’re looking forward to seeing her next week on the Centre Court for her first match.”
Furthermore, Rybakina’s withdrawal drew the attention of fans, who inquired about her, with the organizers replying, “We’ll keep you updated as soon as she arrives.” Another fan noted that Rybakina’s name was also not on Sunday’s practice schedule, which raised concerns. The top seed is, however, expected to have her first training with a one-hour session on Monday.
Before her journey in Germany begins, Rybakina played impressively at the Miami Open and the Indian Wells Open. In the Hard Rock Stadium, she reached the semi-final round, losing to World No. 1 and eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka, and defeated Yulia Putintseva, Marta Kostyuk, Talia Gibson, and Jessica Pegula in the quarter-final round.
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At the Indian Wells Open, she performed dominantly, surpassing Hailey Baptiste, Marta Kostyuk, Sonay Kartal, Jessica Pegula, and Elina Svitolina in the semifinal round. She booked her seat in the final and fell short of taking home the title against Sabalenka, who completed her Sunshine Double after winning both titles.
Apart from these tournaments, Rybakina clinched the Australian Open after defeating Sabalenka and reached the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International and the Qatar Open.
