Elena Rybakina tells doctor 'I'm going to stop' as Emma Raducanu conqueror gets lifeline

Elena Rybakina’s Dubai Championships campaign came to a disappointing end as she became the fourth player to retire mid-match this week. The recently-crowned Australian Open champion was taken to a third set in her clash with lucky loser Antonia Ruzic, who had already beaten another Grand Slam champion in Emma Raducanu earlier this week.

The world No. 3 called the doctor to the court, but instead of asking for any treatment or a medical assessment, Rybakina informed the medics that she was “going to stop”, and then got up to shake hands with her opponent, walking off the court.

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It gave Ruzic a lifeline, allowing the world No. 67 to move into the biggest quarter-final of her career. The Croatian ace lost in the first round of qualifying in Dubai over the weekend, but got into the main draw as a lucky loser when Elisabetta Cocciaretto withdrew.

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With just a few hours’ notice, Ruzic came out to face world No. 25 Raducanu and won the last six games in a row to clinch a 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory - the biggest win of her career by ranking. She backed it up by taking out fellow lucky loser Anastasia Zakharova in the second round.

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Ruzic then faced her toughest test in the third round on Wednesday, facing top seed and recent Aussie Open champion Rybakina. The lucky loser blew an early break lead to lose the first set, but won the second to force a decider.

The world No. 3 was broken in the first game of the third set and then called the doctor, explaining she felt sick. Asked whether she had eaten anything this morning, Rybakina replied: “No, I ate, but in the morning it was just the heavy head, I didn’t sleep well from yesterday so I’m going to stop.”

The two-time Major winner was also offered a medical assessment, but declined. “No, because I know what it is, it’s just really tiredness. I can feel it in the legs, so I don’t see a reason to continue,” she said, before retiring with Ruzic leading 5-7 6-4 1-0.

Ruzic is now through to her fourth tour-level quarter-final, and her first at a WTA 1000 event. The 23-year-old is already guaranteed to reach a new career-high ranking inside the top 55 and will next face either Belinda Bencic or Elina Svitolina.

Following Rybakina’s retirement, the lucky loser said: “I hope Elena gets well soon, not the way I wanted to win this match today. First time as a lucky loser, you’ve got to take your second chance and I’m here taking it, I’m going to the quarters, so I’m happy how I played today.

“Going into this match, I had nothing to lose. I want to show you guys the best tennis I can play and just that I can enjoy on court. I did enjoy on court, so thank you for the support today. I’m happy to be in the next round.”

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