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World number one Rybakina pulls out of BJK Cup Finals after 'tough' month

Rybakina celebrates her US Open triumph
Rybakina celebrates her US Open triumphREUTERS / Mike Segar

Newly crowned world number one Elena Rybakina ⁠will miss the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for Kazakhstan, the US ‌Open champion said on Friday, citing a ‌physically demanding month.

The 27-year-old ‌produced a dominant performance to dethrone two-time ‌defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in last ‌weekend's US Open final, securing a third Grand Slam title to go with ‌her rise to the top ⁠of the ‌rankings.

An ankle injury had threatened to derail ​Rybakina's campaign before the tournament began, but she overcame those ​concerns to add the US Open crown to her Australian Open title ⁠this year ​and her 2022 Wimbledon triumph.

"I have to announce that I won't be able to participate in Billie Jean King ‌Cup this year," Rybakina wrote on Instagram. "Am very sad to miss Shenzhen, such a nice place with an amazing crowd.

"Last month has been tough for my body and I will need to recover and be at my best to compete again. I ‌wish girls good luck."

The Billie ​Jean King Cup Finals will be ‌held in Shenzhen, China, from September 22 to 27, with Kazakhstan set to face Spain in the quarter-finals on September 23.

Italy are ⁠the two-time ⁠defending champions.

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