Defending champ Rybakina withdraws from Italian Open with illness
Defending champion Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the Italian Open due to illness, the tournament said on Friday.
The Wimbledon 2022 champion's withdrawal was announced hours before she was scheduled to begin her title defence against Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu.
Kazakhstan's Rybakina would be replaced by Frenchwoman Oceane Dodin, the tournament said in a post on X. "We wish our 2023 champion a speedy recovery," they added.
World No 4 Rybakina is scheduled to play in the French Open later this month.
Elena Rybakina withdraws from Rome due to illness.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 10, 2024
Defending champion is out.
Just like at Indian Wells, she misses the chance to defend her title.
Can’t imagine how tough this is for her.
She’s been one of the best players on tour this year by a long shot.
Hoping she’s… pic.twitter.com/qZolO1OD09
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