World number one Elena Rybakina withdraws from WTA Finals on eve of tournament

Elena Rybakina, the world's top-ranked women's singles player, has withdrawn from the WTA Finals at Indian Wells. The withdrawal was announced on Saturday, the eve of the season-ending tournament, which begins on Sunday.

The 27-year-old was the defending champion. In 2026 she won the Australian Open and the US Open. She became world number one after her US Open victory. She won four titles this season and finishes with a 54-14 match record.

Reason for the withdrawal

The reports differ on the cause. BBC Sport reports a viral illness. ESPN reports medical reasons but does not specify them.

According to ESPN, Rybakina withdrew from the Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals in Japan the previous week with a neck injury. ESPN also reported that she had moved her pre-event news conference from Friday to Saturday, and it described the withdrawal as not a surprise.

The reports do not specify a diagnosis. They do not say whether the neck injury is related to this withdrawal, when the illness began or how long she is expected to be out. They also do not include a statement from the WTA or the tournament organisers.

Changes to the draw

According to ESPN, Marta Kostyuk enters the draw as first alternate in Group 1. She will play Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova on Sunday. ESPN reported that Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula meet in Sunday's other round-robin singles match. BBC Sport does not mention the alternate.

Her 2026 season

According to ESPN, Rybakina won last year's WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia. BBC Sport reported that she would have been the first player since Serena Williams in 2014 to win the event in consecutive years.

According to BBC Sport, her 2026 titles were the Australian Open, the US Open, Stuttgart and Ningbo. She was runner-up at Indian Wells and Toronto. BBC Sport said she ended Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week hold on the top ranking by defeating her in the US Open final. It was her first time at number one. She secured the year-end number one ranking while competing in Tokyo in October, BBC Sport reported.

BBC Sport also credited her with 438 aces this season, 140 more than Sabalenka in second place. It reported tour-leading figures of 1,775 winners and 10 wins against top-10 opponents.

What each side says

Rybakina said in a statement that she is sad to withdraw. "I am really sad to inform all my fans and supporters that I unfortunately have to withdraw from the WTA Finals this year," she said, according to BBC Sport. "I've had an incredible season but my body is just not physically ready to compete," she added, according to BBC Sport. ESPN quoted her as saying: "I'm going to spend some time resting and recovering at home and getting myself ready for the 2027 season."

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include positions from other parties.

Analysis

The withdrawal removes the season's top-ranked player and defending champion from the final event of the year. It also changes the balance of Group 1, where an alternate now enters the draw. Because BBC Sport and ESPN describe the cause differently, the nature of the problem remains unclear. Whether it relates to the neck injury ESPN reported is also unclear. If the issue is short-term, her stated plan to rest at home suggests a focus on the 2027 season. Her ranking position was secured before this event. Further details may depend on statements from Rybakina, her team or the WTA.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.