Elena Rybakina is ready to play again in Indian Wells after being unable to defend her title in the desert last year due to a health issue.
Two years ago, the Kazakh tennis star landed her maiden WTA 1000 title after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final.
That year, the current world No. 7 also beat Iga Swiatek en route to winning it all.
But after completing a big run in the desert, Rybakina didn’t get a chance to go for back-to-back titles at the tournament after gastrointestinal issues forced her to withdraw very late from the tournament.
However, this year, the 2022 Wimbledon champion is healthy and ready to make her fourth appearance in Indian Wells.
As the No. 7 seed, she has a first-round bye before likely meeting Marie Bouzkova in round two and Katie Boulter in the third round.
From the round-of-16, it gets significantly tougher as Rybakina’s next three opponents could be Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek.
If the Kazakh makes the title match, we could see a rematch of the tournament’s 2023 final between her and top seed Sabalenka.
Rybakina was heartbroken over missing Indian Wells last year
“It is with great sadness I must announce, I will not be able to participate at this year’s Indian Wells tournament due to gastrointestinal issues,” the 25-year-old said when announcing her withdrawal in 2024.
“Those close to me know how much this tournament means to me and how much I wanted to come back and defend my title. I
“I would like to thank all the fans who came out here to support me and I am sorry they will not get a chance to see me play this year.”
It remains to be seen if Rybakina can make a run in the desert this year and win her second title in her return to the tournament.
In her last tournament played, the Kazakh lost to Andreeva in the Dubai semis.
Tennis World USA