There was plenty of concern around the fitness and wellbeing of Rybakina, who missed the entire Asian swing.

This is a tricky tournament to enter, especially with a lack of matches, but the World number five is ready to compete and test herself against the best in the world.

What has Elena Rybakina said about her fitness?

Elena Rybakina has suffered from multiple physical issues in 2024, which has limited her to 50 matches.

Further, the 2022 Wimbledon champion has withdrawn from four ongoing tournaments and has been forced to miss some tournaments altogether.

But Rybakina has overcome her setbacks and has practiced in Saudi Arabia ahead of competing at the WTA Finals for the second successive year.

Updating fans on her health and fitness, she told reporters in Riyadh: “This year I had a lot of ups and downs, starting with insomnia, allergies, and then the back.

“Of course, when you have such a season it’s not easy to stop. But once I had some rest, I have to say, it was really nice.

“It’s not easy to start after this break, but I’m happy with the work we did in the last two weeks. Of course, I’m not maybe at my 100 percent, but just looking forward and happy to be healthy now and start playing.”

Who is Elena Rybakina’s first opponent at the WTA Finals?

Rybakina has been placed in the purple group at the 2024 WTA finals and it is a tough one.

Also in her group is World number one Aryna Sabalenka, Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng and French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini.

Rybakina’s first match of the tournament will take place against Paolini on Saturday. The pair have played one another four times and their head-to-head record stands at two wins apiece.

Paolini claimed their last meeting, which took place at the French Open in June, when the Italian advanced to her first Grand Slam final with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win.

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