A viral illness will keep world No. 1 Elena Rybakina out of the WTA Finals, which are set to start Sunday in Indian Wells, Calif.
The Kazakhstani’s exit resulted in Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk making the Finals field as an alternate.
Rybakina won the Australian Open and U.S. Open championships this year, her second and third career major titles. She also prevailed in tournaments at Stuttgart, Germany, and Ningbo, China, in 2026.
“I am really sad to inform all my fans and supporters that I unfortunately have to withdraw from the WTA Finals this year,” Rybakina said in a statement. “I’ve had an incredible season but my body is just not physically ready to compete. I’m going to spend some time resting and recovering at home and getting myself ready for the 2027 season. The WTA Finals is a very special tournament and I wish everyone the best of luck this week. Can’t wait to be back in Indian Wells in March!”
In 2025, when the WTA Finals were contested in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rybakina defeated Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in the championship match.
Kostyuk is ranked 10th in the world. She reached the semifinals of the French Open and Wimbledon this summer, her best-ever Grand Slam results, after winning tournaments in Rouen, France, and Madrid.
–Field Level Media
