World number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from this month’s Wuhan Open due to a foot injury, tournament organisers said on Sunday, a day after the Kazakh suffered a shock defeat in her opening match at the China Open.Rybakina lost to world number 118 Alina Charaeva in Beijing in her first match since winning last month’s US Open and becoming the world’s top-ranked women’s player. She said she would take some time away from competition to recover.“I’m very sorry to the fans who were looking forward to seeing me play,” Rybakina said in an Instagram story shared by the tournament.“I’ll take some time to rest and recover. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”The 27-year-old has been dealing with a lingering lower leg and foot problem. The injury also forced her to retire from her Cincinnati quarter-final against Iga Swiatek in August.Rybakina recovered in time for the US Open, where she won her third Grand Slam title, moved to world number one and became the first player to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals.She is next expected to compete in Ningbo, where she will attempt to defend her title.The Wuhan Open is scheduled to take place from October 12 to 18.
