World No. 1 Elena Rybakina will not play at the season-ending WTA Finals in Indian Wells, USA, due to health issues, the official website of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) reports. The Kazakhstani player will not defend last year's title won in Riyadh and 1500 ranking points. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
"I am very sad to tell my fans that I unfortunately have to withdraw from the WTA Finals this year. I had an incredible season, but my body is just physically not ready to compete. I am going to spend some time at home, rest, recover and prepare myself for the 2027 season. I wish everyone good luck this week. I can't wait to return to Indian Wells in March!" the WTA press service quoted Rybakina as saying.
The WTA Finals will take place from November 8 to 15 on hard court in Indian Wells.
The vacant spot in the draw was taken by Marta Kostyuk (10). The Ukrainian will play in a group with Americans Coco Gauff (4), Jessica Pegula (5) and Czech Linda Noskova (8). In the other quartet, Aryna Sabalenka (2) of Belarus, Russian Mirra Andreeva (3), Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (6) and Karolina Muchova (7) of the Czech Republic will compete for victory.
The total prize fund of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells is $10 million. For three group-stage matches, the tennis players are guaranteed $220 thousand each. A victory in the quartet will bring another $230 thousand. Reaching the final – $820 thousand. Winning the tournament – an additional $1.64 million.
27-year-old Elena Rybakina, who has represented Kazakhstan since 2018, topped the world ranking for the first time in September. She displaced Sabalenka from the top. In total, the world tennis leader has 15 singles titles. Including victories at Wimbledon 2022, the Australian Open 2026 and the US Open 2026, as well as the 2025 WTA Finals.
After reaching the quarterfinals of the 500-level tournament in Tokyo, Rybakina, regardless of the results of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, secured first place in the year-end ranking.