What Happened to Elena Rybakina’s Achilles? Injury Scare Explained

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What Happened to Elena Rybakina’s Achilles? Injury Scare Explained

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Faizan Mirza | Last updated Sep 7, 2026 1:11 PM ET

Elena Rybakina came into the 2026 US Open with a lot of questions about her fitness after she had to sit out of her Cincinnati Open quarterfinal against Iga Swiatek due to injury.

The whole incident sparked worries about the Australian Open winner’s prospects in New York, especially as the issue was in her left ankle and heel area. Rybakina, however, bounced back at the US Open and has since advanced in the tournament.

What Happened to Elena Rybakina in Cincinnati?

Rybakina was injured in her Aug. 20 quarterfinal against Swiatek. Rybakina was visibly uncomfortable as she battled Swiatek in the first set, who led 4-1.

Elena Rybakina celebrates after winning her Ladies’ Singles at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships. Ben Whitley/PA Images via Getty Images

After receiving a medical evaluation, the Kazakh star decided to retire from the match. The WTA said it was a left ankle injury, and Rybakina later explained that she had been experiencing pain in the area for a while.

Rybakina then had additional medical evaluations and missed a week of action. Before the US Open, she told reporters there were a couple of days when it hurt to walk, and she saw a number of doctors before she started practicing again.

Is Elena Rybakina’s Achilles Injury Serious?

Rybakina’s Achilles has been a topic of discussion, but the reported information is more complex. The official WTA and US Open accounts did not confirm an Achilles tear or rupture, but instead cited a left ankle or foot injury.

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Rybakina was entering the US Open with a cautious approach, stating that she was going to take it day by day and see how she felt as she moved around on court. She also pulled out of the mixed doubles event in New York while she was recovering.

The injury is something Rybakina is still keeping an eye on, but her New York performances indicate that the Cincinnati setback hasn’t slowed her down.