Elena Rybakina will be hoping to bounce back quickly after a disappointing French Open campaign.
Rybakina, currently ranked world number two, suffered an early exit in Paris, falling to Yuliia Starodubtseva in the second round. The 2024 Australian Open champion is now looking ahead to the grass-court season, where she has made some notable adjustments to her schedule.
She’s scheduled to play at Queen’s Club this week before heading to Berlin, where she’ll join a field that includes Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva.
Now, Rybakina has added the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Volkers just days before Wimbledon. The tournament begins on June 23, with qualifying rounds starting two days earlier. The Kazakh joins Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek in the field.
Elena Rybakina to play Bad Homburg Open in lead-up to Wimbledon
A spokesperson for the German tournament took to social media to make the announcement, stating:
“Another reigning Grand Slam champion joins the field at the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt.
“World number two Elena Rybakina is set to compete in the Kurpark!”
Rybakina’s addition further bolsters an already impressive lineup, which includes Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, and Mirra Andreeva.
The world number two was also scheduled to play at this year’s Paris Olympics but was forced out due to ongoing health issues. Her spot has been filled by world No. 73 Yulia Putintseva, who also reached a career-high ranking of 27 earlier this year.
Recalling the inaugural Bad Homburg winner
The Bad Homburg Women’s Singles event was first held in 2021.
Angelique Kerber, a two-time Grand Slam champion, won the inaugural edition of the tournament after defeating Katerina Siniakova in the final.
Kerber, who won 6-3, 6-2 in front of the German fans, described the victory as ‘special.’
“You play for these moments, being on court, playing in front of your fans, family, crowd,” Kerber said emerging victorious, as reported by the WTA.
“It means a lot to me. After all of the months we’ve been through together and standing here with this trophy is something special.”
Caro Garcia followed up with victory at Bad Homburg Open in 2022 before Katerina Siniakova claimed her first title there one year later. Diana Shnaider then took home gold in 2024 while Jessica Pegula was crowned champion at last year’s event.
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