Elena Rybakina to withdraw from US Open 2026? The truth behind the left heel tendon injury

I watched that match in a small coffee shop in Hai Phong, the phone screen blurry in the late afternoon sunlight. Elena Rybakina had just served, stepped back, then suddenly stopped like a sprinter hit by a cramp in the final 200 meters. She clutched her left ankle, her face contorted not from physical pain but from a deeper fear – the fear that her season might end right there in Cincinnati, where she was trailing 1-4 in the first set against Iga Swiatek. I used to be a track and field athlete; I understand that feeling: when your body no longer obeys, every tactic, every plan, every dream becomes meaningless. Rybakina retired from that match, and immediately, the biggest question in the tennis world was raised: will she recover in time to compete at the US Open 2026, where she needs a semi-final to officially become the world No. 1? The context of this story is not just a simple injury. Rybakina is on the threshold of history. She has never held the world No. 1 ranking, and to do so, she needs a deep run at the last Grand Slam of the season. But the left heel tendon injury – according to ESPN – has become her biggest obstacle. In Cincinnati, she tried to continue after being taped, but eventually realized she could not move her leg. That was a dramatic moment, not just physically but mentally. I remember the story of Nguyen Thi Oanh, who ran the 1,500 meters with an ankle injury but still finished, but that was a four-minute race, while this is a two-week Grand Slam with seven matches. The difference is enormous. When I analyzed further, I realized that Rybakina's problem is not in her shot-making technique. She can still serve well, can still hit powerful backhands, but elite tennis on hard courts demands constant movement, acceleration, stopping, and pushing off. A player who cannot move becomes a target for opponents to exploit. I have witnessed many similar cases: players trying to compete with injuries but eventually having to retire mid-match, harming their long-term careers. Rybakina, with her aggressive power-based style, will face great difficulties if she cannot move fluidly. She could try to shorten points with direct serve winners, but in later rounds, when opponents are used to her style, that will no longer be effective. Data from Rybakina's recent matches shows she was in quite good form before the injury occurred. However, her early retirement in Cincinnati leaves us with almost no data to assess her ability to maintain match rhythm. This is a huge information gap. I have reviewed her matches at Wimbledon and Roland Garros, where she went deep, but hard courts are a different challenge. At the US Open, the courts are fast, the ball bounces low, requiring sliding and explosive movement. If her left heel tendon is not fully recovered, she will face great difficulties moving to her left – the direction she often has to rotate to hit her backhand. A contrarian view I want to offer is: Rybakina's withdrawal from the mixed doubles at the US Open could be a positive sign. It shows that she and her team are prioritizing the singles event, where she has a chance to claim the world No. 1 spot. However, I also wonder: was trying to compete in Cincinnati when she could not move her leg a wise decision? In elite sports, the line between courage and recklessness is very thin. I have seen many great athletes pay the price for trying to compete before fully recovering. They think they can push through, but their bodies have limits. Rybakina needs to listen to her body, and if she cannot move, withdrawing from the US Open might be the wisest choice, even if it means delaying her world No. 1 dream for a while longer. I remember a sentence I wrote in an article about Nguyen Thi Oanh: "Nguyen Thi Oanh is not a name – it is a life running forward." With Rybakina, I feel the same. She is not just a player; she is a long journey with difficulties and aspirations. This injury could be a challenge, but it could also be an opportunity for her to reflect and make the right decisions for her career. In tennis, many players have faced heel tendon injuries and returned stronger. The key is knowing how to listen to your body and not rushing. Behind the tactical diagram is a trembling person, hoping and forgetting how to breathe. I wrote that sentence in another match analysis, but it perfectly fits Rybakina's current situation. She is facing a difficult decision: compete and accept the risk, or withdraw and protect her long-term career. No one can answer for her. But I believe that, whichever path she chooses, she will learn something from this experience. An empty stadium means applause moves into the heart; tennis becomes just a breath. When there is no audience, no lights, the athlete is left alone with themselves. And that is when they understand the true value of this sport. An arena is not great because of its seats; it is great because of the stories that dare to stay. The US Open 2026 will take place at Flushing Meadows, where the greatest legends have been witnessed. But Rybakina's story may not be written there if she does not recover in time. However, even if she has to withdraw, her story will continue. She is young, she has talent, and she has a good support team. The important thing is that she needs to be patient. In sports, patience is often underestimated, but it is the key to longevity. I learned that from my old laptop – slow does not mean late, just telling the story differently. Rybakina may not make it to the US Open this year, but she still has many years ahead. I want to analyze deeper the impact of this injury on her game. Rybakina is known for her powerful serve and her down-the-line forehand. She often finishes points quickly, but when she has to move a lot, she becomes vulnerable. In Cincinnati, against Swiatek – a player with excellent defensive skills – Rybakina could not maintain pressure. She was down 1-4 and had to retire. If she plays at the US Open, she will face similar opponents, and if her left leg is not fully recovered, she will face great difficulties. I have watched her matches at the Australian Open, where she reached the quarter-finals, but the hard courts in Melbourne have a different speed than New York. In New York, the ball bounces lower, requiring players to bend more, which will put pressure on the heel tendon. Another factor to consider is psychological pressure. Rybakina has never held the world No. 1 ranking, and she desperately wants it. This pressure could lead her to make hasty decisions. I have seen many young athletes make mistakes because they were too eager. They think they must win immediately, but they forget that a sports career is a marathon, not a sprint. Rybakina needs to remember that she is only 27, she still has many opportunities to become world No. 1. Withdrawing from the US Open this year is not a failure, but an investment in the future. I also want to mention an aspect that few people notice: Rybakina's withdrawal from the mixed doubles could affect other players. She had registered to play mixed doubles with a partner, and her withdrawal could cost her partner a chance to compete. However, in professional sports, this is normal. Players often prioritize singles, and withdrawing from mixed doubles is a strategic decision. I don't think this will cause major controversy. Back to the main question: will Rybakina withdraw from the US Open 2026? Currently, the information is not confirmed. She could still play if her injury recovers well. However, I believe her team will be very cautious. They will not risk her career for a single title. If she cannot move, competing would be meaningless. I have seen many players try to compete with injuries and end up with long-term absences. Rybakina should not repeat that mistake. In a previous article, I wrote: "There are calls that no one answers, but both ends of the line are healing." This can apply to Rybakina's situation. She may be facing a difficult decision, but whatever she chooses, she will find peace if she listens to her body. Elite sports are not just about winning, but also about understanding oneself. Rybakina has had a respectable career, and she still has plenty of time to write new chapters. I will end this article with a question: Are we being too harsh on athletes when they face injuries? We often expect them to compete, to win, but we forget that they are human. They have limits, and they have the right to choose to protect their health. Rybakina may withdraw from the US Open, and that does not diminish her value. On the contrary, it shows she is a smart person who listens to her body. And that is what matters most. I hope that whatever the final decision is, Rybakina will recover soon and return stronger. She is one of the most talented players of her generation, and the tennis world needs her. Let her have time to heal, and we will see her shine on the court again. That is what all fans hope for.