World No. 1 Elena Rybakina Pulls Out of WTA Finals Due to Illness
Kazakh star Elena Rybakina withdrew from the season-ending WTA Finals citing a viral illness, ending her bid for back-to-back titles after a breakthrough 2026 season.
World number one Elena Rybakina announced she will not compete in the WTA Finals after being sidelined by a viral illness. The 27-year-old Kazakh, who captured the Australian Open and US Open titles in 2026, had been poised to attempt a repeat victory at the season-ending event, a feat not achieved since 2014.
"I am really sad to inform all my fans and supporters that I unfortunately have to withdraw from the WTA Finals this year," 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 secured the year-end world number one ranking while playing in Tokyo in October, ending Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week reign after defeating her in the US Open final six weeks earlier. Her 2026 campaign featured titles in Melbourne, New York, Stuttgart and Ningbo, as well as runner-up finishes at Indian Wells and Toronto.
She concluded the season with a 54-win, 68-match record, including 17 wins in 19 Grand Slam matches. Rybakina led the tour in serve statistics, delivering 438 aces—140 more than Sabalenka—and hitting 1,775 winners, while also recording 10 victories over other top-10 opponents.