Elena Rybakina Out Before the WTA Finals Begin, and Marta Kostyuk Steps In
Marta Kostyuk replaces the defending champion after Elena Rybakina said she was not physically ready to compete, leaving the eight-player field unchanged.
- On Saturday, World No. 1 Elena Rybakina withdrew from the 2026 WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California, stating she was "not physically ready to compete" ahead of the tournament's Sunday start.
- The 27-year-old defending champion Rybakina struggled with injuries throughout her 2026 season, withdrawing from the Tokyo quarter-finals last month due to a neck injury.
- Despite these setbacks, the Kazakh star won both the Australian Open and US Open this year, while Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk will replace her in Group One at the tournament.
- The tournament moved from Saudi Arabia to Indian Wells in July following U.S. military strikes on Iran, as regional instability prompted organizers to relocate the season-ender.
- Rybakina plans to rest at home and prepare for her 2027 campaign, aiming to return fully fit to the WTA Tour after a physically demanding season.
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World number one tennis player Rybakina withdraws from WTA finals
World number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals due to a viral illness, ending her bid to defend the title she won last year. Read More: https://punchng.com/world-number-one-tennis-player-rybakina-withdraws-from-wta-finals/
Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals in Indian Wells and will not defend her title from last year's edition in Riyadh. The Women's Tennis Association has classified the withdrawal of the world No. 1 as medical. "I am very sad to inform all my fans and supporters that unfortunately I have to withdraw from this year's WTA Finals. I have had an incredible season, but my body is simply not physically ready to compete," Rybakina said. The…
Elena Rybakina Withdraws From WTA Finals With Viral Illness, Marta Kostyuk Replaces Her
Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals ahead of the championships. The 27-year-old released a statement on Saturday (November […] The post Elena Rybakina Withdraws From WTA Finals With Viral Illness, Marta Kostyuk Replaces Her appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
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