Defending champion Rybakina withdraws from Italian Open

Defending champion Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the Italian Open due to illness.

The Wimbledon 2022 winner's withdrawal was announced hours before she was scheduled to begin her title defence against Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu at the WTA 1000 event in Rome.

"Unfortunately, I do not feel well enough to compete," Rybakina said in a statement posted to social media.

"I have such good memories of last year and was looking forward to defending my title."

Rybakina, from Kazakhstan, will be replaced by 'lucky loser' Oceane Dodin from France, who was beaten 6-4 6-3 in the qualifiers on Wednesday by Czech player Brenda Fruhvirtova.

"We wish our 2023 champion a speedy recovery," the tournament said on social media.

World No.4 Rybakina, who lost the 2023 Australian Open final to Aryna Sabalenka, is scheduled to play in the French Open later this month.