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Rybakina withdraws from WTA Finals citing medical issue

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 7 Nov, 21:52 · Archive

World number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals on the eve of the season-ending tournament, citing a medical issue.

Elena Rybakina, the defending champion and world number one, has withdrawn from the 2026 WTA Finals at Indian Wells on the eve of the season-ending tournament. The three-time Grand Slam winner cited a medical issue, saying her body is not 'physically ready to compete'.

Rybakina was set to face Linda Noskova in the tournament's opening match on Sunday. Noskova, who became Wimbledon's youngest women's singles champion since Petra Kvitova this summer at age 21, will instead face world number ten Marta Kostyuk, who takes Rybakina's place in Group 1.

In a statement, Rybakina said: '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.' Rybakina had been attempting to become the first player since 2014 to win the WTA Finals in back-to-back years, having won the tournament undefeated in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last year.

Despite the withdrawal, Rybakina will finish the season as world number one with a 54-14 record and four titles: the Australian Open, Stuttgart, the US Open and Ningbo Open. She had secured the top ranking in October after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final.

Rybakina withdraws from WTA Finals citing medical issue
Image: New York Post

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In this story: Elena Rybakina · Linda Noskova · Marta Kostyuk · Indian Wells · WTA

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log