Top-ranked Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals for medical reasons, just days before the season-ending championships begin in Indian Wells, California.
“I’ve had an incredible season, but my body is just not physically ready to compete,” the 27-year-old said in a statement on Saturday, a day before the event gets under way at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. “I’m going to spend some time resting and recovering at home and getting myself ready for the 2027 season.”
Kostyuk steps in
Marta Kostyuk moves into the draw as the first alternate in Group 1, and she will open play on Sunday against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula meet in the day’s other round-robin singles match.
Signs of trouble
Rybakina’s withdrawal did not come as a surprise. She had pushed her pre-event news conference from Friday to Saturday, and she pulled out of last week’s Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals in Japan with a neck injury.
A strong season
Rybakina was the defending champion, having won the title last year in Saudi Arabia. She also claimed the US Open in September and rose to the No. 1 ranking.
She finishes the season with a 54-14 match record and four titles, including the Australian Open.