World No. 1 and top ranking Elena Rybakina The 27-year-old Kazakh pulled out of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells due to a medical issue. announced the WTA on Saturday, the eve of the tournament. The defending champion was due to open Group 1 on Sunday with Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic, who is seeded 8.
Marta Kostyuk His place is occupied by a 24-year-old from Ukraine, 10th place. She will face Noskova on Sunday, followed by Americans Coco Gauff, 22, ranked No. 4, and Jessica Pegula, 32, ranked No. 5.
“My body is just not physically ready to compete,” Rybakina said in a statement released by the WTA. He will rest at home and prepare for the 2027 season.
On Friday, he moved his media day from Friday to Saturday, citing possible illness.
Rybakina won Riyadh 2025 undefeated after qualifying in last place. He will forfeit all the points he earned from that title, but cannot lose his No. 1 spot and will finish the year at the top of the rankings. In 2026, he won four titles, going 54-14: Australian Open, Stuttgart, US Open and Ningbo. The Australian Open and US Open were her second and third Grand Slam titles.
