Rybakina Withdraws From WTA Finals, Saying She Is Not Physically Ready
World No. 1 Elena Rybakina has pulled out of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells because she does not feel physically ready to compete. The season-ending event for the women's tour was due to be her first defence as champion. Her withdrawal was classed as a medical withdrawal, citing a medical issue, according to the WTA. She announced the decision on Saturday 7 November.
This is not the first setback in recent weeks. On 30 October, Rybakina withdrew from her Pan Pacific Open quarter-final in Tokyo with a neck injury, which sent Canada's Leylah Fernandez through to the next round, Reuters reported. The WTA Finals is a tournament for the top players of the year, so pulling out there leaves a gap at the end of her season.
Rybakina has had a strong year before this. She won the Australian Open and the US Open, the first and last of the four Grand Slam tournaments in the calendar. A Grand Slam is one of the sport's four biggest events. Across the season she won 54 of 68 matches, including 17 of 19 at the Grand Slams. She also won titles in Stuttgart and Ningbo, and reached the final at Indian Wells and Toronto.
Her rise to the top of the rankings came in stages. She first became the top-ranked women's player in 2026, and she took the US Open final from Aryna Sabalenka, ending Sabalenka's 99-week run at No. 1. In October, while competing in Tokyo, she confirmed the year-end No. 1 spot, which goes to the player at the top of the rankings when the season closes. The ranking reflects results across the whole year, so holding it at the finish is a separate achievement from reaching it.
Her numbers stand out in other ways too. She hit 438 aces, a serve that the opponent fails to touch, which is 140 more than second-placed Sabalenka. She also beat 10 players ranked in the top 10 during the season.
Rybakina said she will rest and recover to prepare for the 2027 season. For a player with a heavy schedule and a recent neck problem, that is a clear signal that her health comes first. Fans who had hoped to see her defend her title in Indian Wells will have to wait until next year to see her return to the court.
