Elena Rybakina accepts Strasbourg wildcard for final French Open prep

Elena Rybakina accepted a wildcard from the organizers of the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open and joins a star-studded list ahead of the start of Roland Garros. After an early elimination at the Rome Open, the Kazakh opted for a change in her schedule and added one more preparation tournament before going to Roland Garros.

Rybakina hardly expects to arrive at the French Open with so few matches. Just two wins and two losses in the WTA 1000 Madrid Open and Rome Open, the only tournaments she has played on clay courts this season. The Kazakh has also recently lost her place in the top-10 while struggling during her last tournaments.

The world No. 11 joins a draw full of stars, now with 7 players inside the top-20, led by Emma Navarro (No. 9), Paula Badosa (No. 10), and Elina Svitolina (No. 14). Other big names include 2-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova (No. 15), Daria Kasatkina (No. 17), Clara Tauson (No. 22), Leylah Fernandez (No. 27), Sofia Kenin (No. 30), and Danielle Collins (No. 46).

The tournament is held the week before the French Open, ending just two days before the start of the second Grand Slam of the year. In any case, it is a good chance to add matches for those top players who are not arriving at Roland Garros with enough rhythm.