Watch: Elena Rybakina nearly faints at Berlin and retires e exact cause now revealed

06/21/2024 10:03 AM

World No. 4 Elena Rybakina nearly fainted on Friday afternoon during a Berlin quarterfinal meeting versus Victoria Azarenka as everything ended with the 25-year-old Kazakh leaving the court unwell and being forced to retire. 

After Azarenka claimed the first break of the match in the third game, Rybakina had a break point in the following game but failed to convert as the Belarusian went 3-1 up. 

When the fifth game started, Rybakina won the opening point before serving a double fault. Then, the 2022 Wimbledon champion missed another first serve before covering her face and bending down. In those moments, it looked like the 25-year-old Kazakh was on the verge of fainting on the court. 

Fortunately, Rybakina didn't faint but she was still feeling unwell and she instantly went to her chair and the doctor was called to the court. And after receiving treatment, Rybakina decided the best thing was not to risk anything and retired from the match.

poor Elena, she really looked like she was gonna faint 😭😭 i hope she will be okay soon... this is what happened, she relatively looked okay then made a double fault and well... pic.twitter.com/Gy8zkj4AiZ

— Elena Rybakina | Fanpage 🐠 (@lenarybaqueena) June 21, 2024

Initially, it was believed that Rybakina retired due to illness. Later, the WTA said in an official statement that the Kazakh was forced to quit the match due to "abdominal pain."

Victoria Azarenka advances to the Berlin semifinals after Elena Rybakina is forced to retire due to abdominal pain. Final score: 3-1, RET.#ecotransLadiesOpen

— wta (@WTA) June 21, 2024

It certainly wasn't the best way for Rybakina's grass season-opening tournament to come to an end but at least it is not looking as something that would prevent her from competing at Wimbledon in nine days. 

However, what's concerning is that throughout the entire 2024 season, Rybakina has battled health issues, including various illnesses but also allergies. 

Now, Rybakina will head to Wimbledon with just one full match played on grass as she only defeated Veronika Kudermetova in Berlin before playing four games against Azarenka. 

While a lack of matches is never a good thing, Rybakina has a game that perfectly suits grass, and if she arrives healthy to Wimbledon, she will still be among the top favorites for the title. 

After becoming a Grand Slam champion at Wimbledon in 2022, Rybakina didn't manage to defend her title last year after losing to Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinal.