INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Top-ranked Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals for medical reasons, just days before the season-ending championships begin.
“I’ve had an incredible season, but my body is just not physically ready to compete,” the 27-year-old said in a statement Saturday, a day before the event gets underway at 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 into the draw
Marta Kostyuk moves into the draw as the first alternate in Group 1. She will open play Sunday against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula meet in the day’s other round-robin singles match.
Withdrawal was not a surprise
Rybakina’s exit had been building for days. She pushed her pre-event news conference from Friday to Saturday, and she withdrew from last week’s Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals in Japan with a neck injury.
Rybakina was the defending champion, having won the title last year in Saudi Arabia. She also won the U.S. Open in September and rose to No. 1 in the rankings.
A strong season despite the setback
Rybakina finishes the season with a 54-14 match record and four titles, including the Australian Open.