Ailing AO champ Rybakina quits mid-match

The pullout count at the WTA Dubai tournament hit an even dozen on Wednesday as freshly crowned Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina quit her third round match to hand lucky loser Antonia Ruzic a 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 win.

The Croat winner advanced as the Australian Open winner retired with illness at the Aviation club.

The incident was the 12th to hit the event – including pre-tournament pullouts – since play began on Sunday. 

The top two in the world – Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek – both gave their regrets on the event of the start, drawing displeasure from the beleaguered TD.

“I hope Elena gets well soon. Not the way I wanted to win this match,” the 67th-ranked Ruzic said as she moved into the last eight.

“I hope to see her more in the future. My first time as a lucky loser, you gotta take your second chance.” 

After lifting the Grand Slam trophy last month in Melbourne, Rybakina lost last week to Victoria Mboko in the Doha quarter-finals before travelling an hour’s flight away to compete in Dubai.

Ruzic, who counted Emma Raducanu among her victims here, squared the match at a set each before Rybakina called for the trainer after losing serve in the opening game of the third.

The victory was the first for the 23-year-old outsider over a top 20 player.

Main photo:- Elena Rybakina won 2026 Australian Open – by ISF Ltd