Elena Rybakina was 'forbidden' from travelling to Olympics as new statement released
Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the Olympics on health grounds.
Elena Rybakina has revealed that she was banned from travelling to the Olympics by her doctors after contracting 'acute bronchitis'. The 25-year-old was due to represent Kazakhstan in the women's singles and mixed doubles but withdrew just hours after the draw was made on Thursday.
Rybakina has struggled with illness over the course of this year, having withdrawn from a number of high-profile events over the last few months. She pulled out of the Dubai Open, Indian Wells and the Italian Open as well as the Eastbourne International in the run-up to Wimbledon.
Explaining her decision to skip the Olympics on medical grounds, she revealed that her doctors 'forbade' her from travelling to Paris or playing tennis in spite of her efforts to recover in time.
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In a statement posted on Instagram, Rybakina said: "It is hard for me to tell you this, but unfortunately, I will not be able to take part in the Olympics in Paris. After the Wimbledon tournament, I fell ill with acute bronchitis, and despite attempts to return to training, my body has not yet recovered.
"Doctors forbade me to go out on the court. I am very sorry that I will not be able to justify your hopes and compete for our team at the Olympics in Paris. I was so close to a medal in Tokyo and carefully prepared for the Paris Games to win gold for Kazakhstan.
Unfortunately, illness prevented these plans from coming true.
"I wish all Kazakhstani athletes good luck and success in Paris. I will root for all our athletes and believe that they will be able to worthily represent our country at the Olympics. Alga, Kazakhstan!"
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Rybakina is one of several high-profile players who will be absent from the Olympics following her late withdrawal. The likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, Marketa Vondrousova and Madison Keys will also not be playing in the women's tennis events at Roland Garros.
She opened up on her recent health issues during Wimbledon earlier this year, saying: "It's not easy because sometimes you have more energy and you want to do some interesting stuff. Sometimes you are too tired and you just want to be on the couch after the matches.
"It's just not easy to balance it out and your wishes and also be prepared for the next day. So, I mean it's just you're trying to balance it out, really."