Elena Rybakina withdraws from 2024 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships following sudden illness

Rybakina, who was due to face Jasmine Paolini in the quarter-finals in the second match on Centre Court today, has been struck with a gastrointestinal illness

Dubai, UAE—February 22, 2024: World No4 Elena Rybakina has been forced to withdraw from this year’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships owing to illness, tournament organisers have confirmed.

Rybakina, who recently won the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and reached the final of last week’s Qatar Open, was due to face Italian Jasmine Paolini in the last eight of the competition on Centre Court later today.

However, after being struck with a gastrointestinal illness overnight Rybakina has had to withdraw from the tournament, giving Paolini a walkover into the semifinals.

“Unfortunately I was not feeling well overnight, and since I am not feeling 100% ready to compete I have decided to pull out from my quarterfinal match today against Jasmine Paolini,” the 24-year-old said.

“I want to say a big thank you to all the fans for their support this week and am looking forward to coming back next year.”

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Tickets for both the women’s WTA tournament and the men’s ATP event remain available to purchase at www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com.