Elena Rybakina to withdraw from US Open 2026? – The Achilles heel and the World No.1 equation

Cincinnati, Ohio – On Wednesday night on center court, Elena Rybakina stood up after losing her fifth service game, looked toward the corner where Iga Swiatek was preparing to return. She called for a medical timeout, then walked slowly to her chair. The crowd fell silent. No one spoke loudly, but everyone understood: a body was saying goodbye to the tournament. The score was 1-4 in the first set, and Rybakina could no longer move. She retired, not because of tactics, but because her left leg no longer obeyed. That is a moment I will never forget, because it was not just a loss, but a big question mark for her entire American summer. Context: Rybakina, the 2026 Wimbledon champion, is in the race for the World No. 1 ranking. According to calculations, she needs to reach the US Open 2026 semi-finals to officially overtake Swiatek in the WTA rankings. But a left heel tendon injury – confirmed by ESPN as a tendon issue – forced her to withdraw from the Cincinnati Open, the final warm-up event before the last Grand Slam of the year. Initial information from close sources said she had withdrawn from the mixed doubles event, while her singles participation is being assessed daily. This is a situation any player fears: not because of the opponent, but because of one's own body. I have followed Rybakina since her days on the ITF circuit in Europe. Her game has always been built on serve power and flat backhand shots, but what made her different was her agile movement on hard courts. She is not the most frequent runner, but she knows how to position her feet to unleash a finishing shot. When the left heel tendon is damaged, that entire system collapses. You cannot hide the inability to sprint, to stop abruptly, to pivot for a return. In modern tennis, where every point demands explosiveness, a foot injury is a death sentence for an aggressive playing style. Data from Cincinnati paints a grim picture. Rybakina won only 1 game before retiring, and she lost 4 consecutive games after failing to serve accurately. I reviewed the footage: in the third game, she hit her second serve at only 145 km/h, 20 km/h below her season average. That shows she could not push off from her back leg. Sports medicine experts often say the heel tendon is the 'Achilles heel' of an athlete, and for Rybakina, that became literally true. She tried to continue after being taped, but when you cannot move, all tactics become meaningless. The biggest question now is not 'Will Rybakina withdraw from the US Open?', but 'Should she withdraw?'. If she steps on court at 70% fitness, she might win a match or two, but in the third or fourth round, against opponents like Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff, her lack of movement will be ruthlessly exploited. I remember Naomi Osaka at the 2026 Australian Open, when she tried to play with a hamstring injury and had to retire in the second round. That not only harmed her result but also prolonged her recovery. Rybakina is 27, and she has many seasons ahead. A wrong decision now could affect her entire career. But there is another perspective, contrary to conventional thinking. Withdrawing from the US Open could be a smart strategy, not a sign of weakness. Look at history: many players have sacrificed a Grand Slam to protect a long-term career. Roger Federer skipped Roland Garros 2026 to focus on Wimbledon and returned stronger. Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from many smaller events to extend his peak. For Rybakina, holding the No. 1 ranking is important, but if she cannot play at 100%, trying will only create unnecessary pressure. She could choose to withdraw, recover fully, and return for the Asian swing – where she has had success in Beijing and Tokyo. That is a gamble, but it might be the right one. I don't just read the match, I read what the players don't say. When Rybakina left the court in Cincinnati, she didn't look at the stands. She walked straight into the tunnel, head down. That is the body language of someone fighting herself, not the opponent. She knows her body is betraying her ambition. And in such moments, wisdom lies not in trying to push beyond limits, but in listening to the signals from your own body. An empty stadium is a sad poem about the loneliness of victory. But here, the stadium is not empty – it is full of eyes watching a woman struggling with pain. I remember those afternoons in Melbourne, standing before the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the pandemic, feeling a suffocating silence. Now, I feel a similar silence in Rybakina's eyes. She doesn't speak, but I can hear the voice of doubt. Tactically, if Rybakina still decides to play, she will need to adjust her game. She could use more drop shots, hit short balls to minimize lateral movement. But that requires absolute precision, and even if she does, opponents will quickly notice and exploit it. In a Grand Slam, where matches last three sets, conserving energy is not enough. You need the ability to accelerate at decisive moments. With a heel tendon injury, that is nearly impossible. I have witnessed many players trying to play through injury and failing miserably. Juan Martin del Potro tried to play the 2026 US Open with a knee injury and had to retire in the quarter-finals. Stan Wawrinka struggled with a back injury for years and eventually had surgery. Rybakina should not repeat that mistake. She is young, with many opportunities ahead. Withdrawing from a tournament is not a failure, but a strategic decision. But there is another factor: the pressure of becoming World No. 1. In women's tennis, the No. 1 ranking is not just a title, but also commercial value, recognition. Rybakina has pursued this goal for two years. She reached the Australian Open final in 2026, won Wimbledon 2026, and has always been in the top 5. But she has never held the No. 1 spot. If she misses this opportunity, she might have to wait many more years, while Swiatek remains at her peak. That is a difficult equation. I remember the story of Simona Halep, who waited a long time to become World No. 1, and when she achieved it, she faced constant injuries. Her career never reached the heights expected. Rybakina could fall into a similar situation if she is not careful. But on the other hand, if she withdraws and recovers well, she could return stronger, like a storm. The key is that she must listen to her body, not to outside advice. Throughout my career, I have learned that the hardest decisions are often the right ones. When I was a young journalist in Melbourne, I missed a big opportunity because I was too afraid. But later, I realized that safety is not always the best choice. Rybakina is at a similar crossroads. She can choose safety by withdrawing, or choose risk by playing. Both have risks, but one might bring a greater reward. I cannot give her the answer, but I can point out that in tennis history, the greatest players often know how to overcome adversity. Serena Williams played through many injuries and still won. Rafael Nadal played with a damaged knee and still won Roland Garros. But they are exceptions, not the rule. For Rybakina, she needs to be honest with herself about the level of pain and her ability to move. This year's Cincinnati Open witnessed one of the most memorable moments of the season, but not because of a great match, but because of a sad departure. Rybakina left the court with red eyes, and I am sure she cried in the locker room. That fragility is what makes her human, and what makes fans love her. But in elite sport, fragility has no place. You must be strong, or you will be crushed. I have followed Rybakina for years, and I believe she has enough character to make the right decision. She is not easily swayed by external pressure. She has overcome difficulties in her career, from changing coaches to facing criticism. Now, she is facing the biggest challenge: her own body. And I believe she will overcome it, whether she plays or not. As I write these lines, I don't know if Rybakina will appear at Flushing Meadows. But I know that, whatever path she chooses, she will do it with integrity and courage. And that is what matters most. Because in sport, as in life, victory is not just the result on the court, but how you face challenges. Rybakina is facing a big challenge, and I will watch her with admiration, whether she plays or not. Finally, I want to say that, whether Rybakina withdraws from the US Open or not, she has already won something greater: the respect of fans and colleagues. Because she has shown us that even the strongest can be vulnerable, and that is nothing to be ashamed of. What is shameful is not daring to face the truth. And Rybakina, by leaving the Cincinnati court with honesty, has shown us that she is a true warrior. The World No. 1 equation may have to wait, but Rybakina's career is still long. She is only 27, and she already has a Grand Slam title. With her talent and determination, she will surely have more opportunities. The important thing is that she must preserve her health, because without health, everything else is meaningless. I hope she will listen to her body and make the wisest decision. And when I look back at the moment she left the Cincinnati court, I remember a phrase I once wrote: 'An empty stadium is a sad poem about the loneliness of victory.' But today, the stadium is not empty, and Rybakina's loneliness is not the loneliness of victory, but the loneliness of pain. And I believe that, from that pain, she will return stronger, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. I will wait for official information from Rybakina's team in the coming days. But whatever the outcome, I have learned a valuable lesson from her: sometimes, courage lies not in fighting to the end, but in knowing when to stop. And that is a lesson I will carry for life. In the world of sport, where glamour and victory are often worshipped, we often forget that behind every athlete is a human being of flesh and blood, with pains and fears. Rybakina has shown us that most clearly. And so, whether she plays at the US Open or not, she has won a greater victory: the victory of truthfulness. I will end this article with a question: Do we, as fans, have enough patience to wait for a healthy Rybakina to return, or will we demand that she play at all costs? The answer will say a lot about us, not only as sports lovers, but as human beings.