Newly Crowned No. 1 Rybakina Withdraws From BJK Cup With Injury

Elena Rybakina, newly crowned world No. 1 after winning the US Open, will miss the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China. On September 18, 2026, she posted on Instagram: "I have to announce that I won't be able to participate in Billie Jean King Cup this year." The Kazakhstan Tennis Federation said the same day that a left Achilles tendon injury requires at least two weeks of treatment and recovery. She added she was "very sad to miss Shenzhen" and that the "last month has been tough for my body." The injury began at the Cincinnati Open, where Rybakina retired from her quarterfinal against Iga Swiatek. She still won the US Open final against Aryna Sabalenka around September 12; the federation said she used painkillers in the tournament's final stages. The Finals run September 22-27, with Kazakhstan due to meet Spain on September 23. Other teams include Italy, Belgium, Ukraine, Great Britain, Czechia and China. No contested claims found. Rybakina will spend a week in Kazakhstan for medical examination and fan and young-player events before rehabilitation and a return to full training.