Kazakh tennis player Elena Rybakina, world number one and defending champion of the WTA Finals, announced her withdrawal from the year-end tournament that brings together the eight best players of the season. The decision was communicated on Saturday, November 7, 2026, due to physical issues. The competition began on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in Indian Wells, United States.
— I am very sad to inform all my fans and supporters that, unfortunately, I will have to withdraw from this year's WTA Finals. I had an incredible season, but my body is simply not physically prepared to compete — the player stated in an official release.
The 27-year-old athlete had already been forced to withdraw from the WTA 500 in Tokyo at the end of October due to a neck injury. With this new absence, she chose to end her season early to rest, recover at home, and prepare for 2027. Even while sitting out the tournament, the tennis player has already secured the year-end ranking lead.
Following Rybakina's withdrawal, Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, the first alternate and world number 10, took her place in Group 1. Kostyuk made her debut against Czech Linda Noskova and also faced Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in the group stage.
Rybakina finishes 2026 with 54 wins, 14 losses, and four titles won: the Australian Open, Stuttgart, the US Open, and Ningbo. Her victory at the American Grand Slam in September propelled the tennis player to the top of the world ranking. She also entered the tournament as the defending champion after defeating Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the 2025 final held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
