As the 2024 Australian Open approaches, concerns loom over the participation of tennis stars Elena Rybakina and Stefanos Tsitsipas, both grappling with health issues. Elena Rybakina’s unfortunate history with illnesses resurfaced during the 2023 World Tennis League, forcing her to withdraw after just two days of play.
Rybakina’s recent withdrawal from this tournament raises worries about the potential impact on her form and preparation for the upcoming Australian Open. The timing is far from ideal, as the matches leading up to the Grand Slam serve as a crucial confidence-building opportunity for Rybakina, who would be aiming to replicate her impressive performance at last year’s Australian Open, where she reached the finals.
Elena Rybakina watching 50 Cent & Jeremih at the concert for World Tennis League 🥰🎵
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 21, 2023
Stefanos Tsitsipas, too, encountered health challenges during the 2023 World Tennis League, raising uncertainties about his readiness for the Australian Open. Despite withdrawing his participation in the final tie, Tsitsipas experienced health issues during the competition, leading to his replacement by Lloyd Harris for a significant part of the tournament.
The Greek player’s absence on the second day, coupled with his piecemeal participation, hints at ongoing concerns that may impact his appearance in the upcoming Grand Slam. As both Rybakina and Tsitsipas navigate through their respective health challenges, the tennis world awaits updates on their conditions and hopes for a swift recovery.
The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event on the tennis calendar, hangs in thin balance for these two tennis superstars. Fans will be just hoping that both of them, who reached the finals of the last edition, recover well in time.
Former champions pursue Australian Open entry via qualifiers
As the anticipation builds for the 2024 Australian Open, two tennis stars, Emma Raducanu and Dominic Thiem, are set to feature in the qualifying rounds for a chance to secure entry into the first Grand Slam of the year. Raducanu, who famously triumphed at the 2021 US Open, has faced challenges since then, including injuries and coaching changes.
Due to her special ranking of 103, obtained after missing a significant part of 2023 due to injury, Raducanu aims to make a strong comeback through the qualifying rounds. Thiem, the 2020 men’s US Open champion, is bidding for his 10th appearance at Melbourne Park after recovering from a serious wrist injury that kept him out of the second half of the 2021 season.
Emma headlines @AustralianOpen 🇦🇺🐨 qualifying fieldhttps://t.co/aJx5auu0NT#Raducanu | #EmmaRaducanu
— Emma Raducanu Fans (@RaducanuNews) December 22, 2023
After winning her first major, injuries have riddled Raducanu’s tennis journey, leading her to miss the entire 2023 season. She is set to make her return at the Auckland Classic on January 1, reuniting with her childhood coach, Nick Cavaday.
On the men’s side, Thiem faces the challenge of the qualifiers after missing the cut-off for the main draw by just one spot. Having made nine previous appearances at Melbourne Park, including a memorable final in 2020 against Novak Djokovic, Thiem aims to make a strong comeback in the upcoming tournament. The qualifying rounds kick off on January 8, with the main draw commencing on January 14.