No. 1 Elena Rybakina Withdraws From WTA Finals Over Health

Indian Wells, California — World No. 1 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals, the year-end championship for women's tennis, citing medical concerns, according to a statement reported by the New York Post. The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan was due to open her title defense this week at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Why did Rybakina withdraw from the WTA Finals?

"I've had an incredible season, but my body is just not physically ready to compete," Rybakina said in the statement carried by the Post. "I'm going to spend some time resting and recovering at home and getting myself ready for the 2027 season."

"I've had an incredible season, but my body is just not physically ready to compete." — Elena Rybakina

The withdrawal follows a similar decision in late October, when Rybakina pulled out of the WTA 500 tournament in Tokyo ahead of a quarterfinal against Leylah Fernandez, citing neck inflammation and pain, the Post reported.

Who replaces Rybakina in the draw?

Marta Kostyuk, ranked world No. 10, enters the eight-player field as the first alternate, according to the Post. Kostyuk is scheduled to face Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova on Sunday in the round-robin stage of the tournament.

How did Rybakina reach world No. 1?

Rybakina secured the year-end No. 1 ranking by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the U.S. Open final on Sept. 12, the Post reported, a result that gave her a third Grand Slam title. It was her second win over Sabalenka this season, following a three-set victory at the Australian Open earlier in the year.

A separate win over Sabalenka in Riyadh the previous year produced what the Post described as a historic payday for Rybakina, just under $5.3 million. Rybakina won both Grand Slam tournaments this season.

What was at stake for Rybakina at Indian Wells?

Had she competed, Rybakina was positioned to attempt back-to-back WTA Finals titles, a feat the Post noted no player has achieved since Serena Williams in 2014. Her withdrawal means that bid will not go forward this year, with Rybakina instead turning her focus to recovery ahead of the 2027 season, per her statement.

The tournament itself has changed venues this year. The WTA Finals relocated from the Middle East to California in July, a move the Post reported was made for safety reasons. This marks the event's debut at Indian Wells, now proceeding without the top-ranked player in the draw.

Why didn't Iga Swiatek take the alternate spot?

The first-alternate position was originally expected to go to Iga Swiatek, the world No. 9 and six-time Grand Slam champion, according to the Post. Swiatek instead chose to end her season on Oct. 20, describing it as "one of the most demanding seasons of her career." That decision opened the door for Kostyuk to step into the eight-player field in Rybakina's place.

The round-robin stage now proceeds with Kostyuk facing Noskova on Sunday, while Rybakina's season closes out early as she looks toward preparation for next year's tour, according to her own statement reported by the Post.

What format does the WTA Finals use this year?

The tournament pits eight players against one another in a round-robin stage before moving to knockout semifinals and a final, according to the Post's coverage of the draw. The draw ceremony took place Nov. 3 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, with Rybakina seen practicing on site as recently as Nov. 5, according to photographs accompanying the Post's report. Her withdrawal came two days later, on Nov. 7, just before the event's opening matches.

What's next for the women's tour heading into 2027?

Rybakina's statement framed the decision as a long-term one, with the Kazakhstani saying she intends to use the offseason to recover before resuming competition next year, the Post reported. Her exit follows a similar posture from Swiatek, who likewise cited the toll of a demanding season in stepping away from the Finals alternate slot on Oct. 20. Neither player's statement, as relayed by the Post, included a target date for a 2027 season debut.

For the tournament itself, the withdrawal leaves Kostyuk and Noskova to open Sunday's round-robin play without the woman who entered the week as the sport's top-ranked player and defending Finals champion. The Post did not report any changes to the remainder of the draw beyond Kostyuk's promotion from alternate status.