Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the Bad Homburg Open due to physical discomfort, specifically in her right hip.
## What happened?
The World No. 2 tennis player initially targeted three warm-up events ahead of Wimbledon but has since scrapped the strategy after just one win and two losses.
She started her grass campaign at Queen’s Club as the top seed, winning her first match against Tatjana Maria 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-0.
But she then lost to Katie Boulter 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 on the same day at the rain-hit event.
## Why it matters for Elena Rybakina
Rybakina's grass-court season hasn't gone according to plan, and her withdrawal from Bad Homburg has raised concerns about her preparation for Wimbledon.
She is defending 130 points at Wimbledon, which begins on June 29, and is on the hunt for her third Grand Slam title.
Rybakina trails Aryna Sabalenka by 947 points in the rankings and needs to perform well at Wimbledon to close the gap.
## What comes next?
Rybakina will consult with her medical team to determine the next steps in her recovery, and it remains to be seen whether she will be able to turn her grass-court season around at Wimbledon.
The Kazakhstani player had a strong start to the year, winning the Australian Open, but has struggled on grass, losing to Alexandra Eala 7-5, 6-4 at the Berlin Tennis Open.
And her withdrawal from Bad Homburg has added to the uncertainty surrounding her grass-court season.
So Rybakina's fans will be eagerly awaiting news of her recovery and her plans for Wimbledon.
But for now, the World No. 2's grass-court season remains on hold due to her injury.
Rybakina's medical team will play a crucial role in her recovery, and their assessment will determine her chances of competing at Wimbledon.
The tournament begins on June 29, and Rybakina will be hoping to recover in time to defend her title.