Elena Rybakina, the current World No. 1, will not compete in the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinal against Spain next week, as she announced on social media. In an Instagram story, she expressed her disappointment about missing the event in Shenzhen, citing a tough month for her body and the need for recovery. She wished her teammates good luck.
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Rybakina's decision follows an ankle injury that forced her to retire during a quarterfinal match in Cincinnati on August 20. Although she faced difficulty walking for a week following the injury, she managed to recover in time for the US Open, where she won seven matches and claimed her third major title, securing the No. 1 ranking.
Her final three matches at the US Open were all intense three-setters, including comeback victories against Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff, culminating in a victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
With Rybakina's absence, Kazakhstan’s roster for the quarterfinals now includes Yulia Putintseva, Sonja Zhiyenbayeva, Zhibek Kulambayeva, and Anna Danilina. They will face a Spanish team that comprises Cristina Bucsa, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Kaitlin Quevedo, Marina Bassols Ribera, and Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Other quarterfinal matchups will feature Italy against China, Ukraine against Belgium, and Czechia against Great Britain, with the first matches scheduled for September 22 in Shenzhen. Ukraine will be without Marta Kostyuk, who withdrew due to a wrist injury. Italy, the defending champions, are led by veterans Jasmine Paolini and Elisabetta Cocciaretto.