Defending champion and World No. 1 Elena Rybakina will not be a part of the upcoming WTA Finals. An illness has resulted in her withdrawing on the eve of the tournament. Rybakina will be hugely disappointed to miss the year-end tournament, as the 2026 season was a major success for her. She recently secured her fourth title of the year at the Ningbo Open. Though the Kazakh’s departure was quite sudden, the WTA has already named her replacement for the event.
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Marta Kostyuk will be participating in the WTA Finals as a replacement for Rybakina. She was already an alternate for the tournament and has now been called up to fill the remaining place. Now she will be the one taking on Linda Noskova on the first day of the event.
Doubts were creeping around Rybakina’s participation in the WTA Finals ever since she pulled out of her match against Leylah Fernandez at the Japan Open last week. The 27-year-old has confirmed that she isn’t fit enough to compete and will need to rest so that she can recover in time for the start of the 2027 season.
“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 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!”