Elena Rybakina, the world number 4 player, withdrew from the French Open on Saturday due to what was described as an upper respiratory illness.
She was scheduled to face Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in the third round.
«I just wanted to give 100% and I’m obviously far from 100%,» Rybakina said. «If I can’t breathe, there’s no chance I’ll be able to run and try to compete.»
Rybakina is also the reigning Wimbledon champion after defeating Ons Jabeur in three sets in July to win the first Grand Slam of her career.
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Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan speaks to the media after her withdrawal due to injury before the third round at Roland Garros on June 3, 2023 in Paris (Robert Prange/Getty Images)
The match between Rybakina and Sorribes Tormo in Paris was scheduled to start shortly before noon local time.
Instead, Rybakina was sitting in front of a microphone at the time the match was supposed to start to explain to reporters why she was withdrawing.
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Rybakina sounded noticeably congested as she revealed that she had had difficulty sleeping for the past two days, partly due to a fever.
He also said he experienced trouble with his breathing while warming up Saturday before a game. She said a doctor told her there is a virus circulating «here in Paris.»
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in action against Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic in the second round of Roland Garros on June 1, 2023 in Paris (Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Rybakina, who won each of her first two matches this week in straight sets, was considered among the leading contenders for the Roland Garros championship. She has won her last 10 matches, including a taper title on red clay at the Italian Open last month.
She plays a power game based in part on one of the best serves on the WTA Tour, which she leads in aces this season.
Elena Rybakina at Roland Garros 2023 in Paris on June 1, 2023. (Photo Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rybakina is a 23-year-old from Moscow who has represented Kazakhstan since 2018, when that country offered her funding to support her tennis career.
The change was a topic of conversation during Wimbledon because the All England Club barred athletes representing Russia or Belarus from entering the tournament in 2022 because of the war in Ukraine.
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The loss of Rybakina allows 26-year-old Sorribes Tormo to advance to the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career.
Associated Press contributed to this report.