Rybakina says she is on track to recover and play at U.S. Open

Elena Rybakina said on Saturday at Flushing Meadows that she is on track to recover from a leg injury and will play at the U.S. Open.

Rybakina, the world number two and a two-time Grand Slam champion, suffered the injury at the Cincinnati Open earlier this month and retired in the first set of her quarter-final against Iga Swiatek on August 20 with an ankle problem; the 27-year-old said walking was painful for a couple of days after the incident but that her rehabilitation has been positive.

"We will see what's gonna happen in the next few days, but for now it's been well," she said, adding she is pleased with the progress of her recovery.

"I'm quite confident with the decision we are making each day how to practice, what to do, and especially what can happen worst-case scenario. So all these things I feel quite confident," she said, describing the day-to-day planning around her return to play.

"I always want to go on court when I'm 100% sure, and it's the last slam of the year, so I think everyone will want to try to compete," Rybakina said, emphasising her preference to play only when fully ready.

"I just feel like it's just few more days and I should be very fine," she said, and Rybakina is set to open her U.S. Open campaign against American Thea Frodin.