Kazakh tennis sensation, Elena Rybakina, is all geared up to make her dynamic return to the Indian Wells tournament, following an unfortunate health-related setback last year that kept her from defending her title. Having clinched her inaugural WTA 1000 crown two years back after triumphing over Aryna Sabalenka, Rybakina is eager to reclaim her throne in the desert.
The then victory at Indian Wells had propelled Rybakina to the seventh spot in the world rankings, a testament to her exceptional skills on the court. Her glorious journey to the title saw her defeat formidable opponents like Iga Swiatek. However, the joy of her victory was short-lived. A bout of gastrointestinal problems forced her to withdraw from the tournament at the last minute, denying her the chance to vie for consecutive titles – a missed opportunity that left her and her fans disappointed.
But the tide seems to be turning favorably for Rybakina this year, after her victorious run at Wimbledon in 2022. Now healthy and fit, the star athlete is all set to make her fourth appearance at Indian Wells. As the seventh seed, she receives an automatic pass to the second round, likely to face Marie Bouzkova, followed by a potential clash with Katie Boulter in the third round.
