Rybakina retires injured against Swiatek in Cincinnati quarter-final
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 9:06 AM
Last updated Aug 21, 2026
Elena Rybakina retired due to a left ankle injury in her Cincinnati Open quarter-final match against Iga Swiatek. Rybakina was trailing 4-1 when she called for a medical timeout and, after consulting with her trainer, decided to withdraw after winning only five games. This retirement signifies a missed opportunity for Rybakina to challenge for the world number one ranking, especially after Aryna Sabalenka's earlier defeat in the tournament. Swiatek will advance to face Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals as she aims to defend her Cincinnati title.
- •Rybakina retired at 4-1 down in the first set.
- •She has been dealing with the ankle injury for some time.
- •Swiatek defeated Rybakina in the Canadian Open final the previous week.
- •The US Open starts on August 30.
- •Swiatek aims to defend her Cincinnati title successfully.
- 9:06 AMYahoo Sports — Elena Rybakina’s Heartbreaking Backstage Moment Emerges As She Opens Up About Injury Retirement in Cincinnati
- 6:34 AMYahoo Sports — Rybakina retires injured in quarter-final against Swiatek
- 6:34 AMBBC Sport — Rybakina retires injured in quarter-final against Swiatek
- 6:33 AMYahoo Sports — Rybakina retires from Cincinnati Open quarter-final with injury
"Elena Rybakina was forced to retire from her Cincinnati Open quarterfinal against defending champion Iga Świątek on Thursday after sustaining a left-foot injury. The Kazakh star appeared to hurt herself midway through a rally while serving at 1-4 in the opening set.
"Two-time Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina retired injured from her Cincinnati Open quarter-final against Iga Swiatek on Thursday, ending her chance of taking over as world number one. Rybakina retired with an ankle problem while trailing Swiatek 4-1.
"Elena Rybakina's latest bid to replace Aryna Sabalenka as world number one comes to an abrupt end as she retires injured against Iga Swiatek in Cincinnati.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 9:06 AMElena Rybakina’s Heartbreaking Backstage Moment Emerges As She Opens Up About Injury Retirement in Cincinnati
Elena Rybakina was forced to retire from her Cincinnati Open quarterfinal against defending champion Iga Świątek on Thursday after sustaining a left-foot injury. The Kazakh star appeared to hurt herself midway through a rally while serving at 1-4 in the opening set.
- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 6:34 AMRybakina retires injured in quarter-final against Swiatek
Elena Rybakina's latest bid to replace Aryna Sabalenka as world number one comes to an abrupt end as she retires injured against Iga Swiatek in Cincinnati.
- BBC SportAug 21, 2026, 6:34 AMRybakina retires injured in quarter-final against Swiatek
Elena Rybakina's latest bid to replace Aryna Sabalenka as world number one comes to an abrupt end as she retires injured against Iga Swiatek in Cincinnati.
- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 6:33 AMRybakina retires from Cincinnati Open quarter-final with injury
Two-time Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina retired injured from her Cincinnati Open quarter-final against Iga Swiatek on Thursday, ending her chance of taking over as world number one. Rybakina retired with an ankle problem while trailing Swiatek 4-1.
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