World Number One Elena Rybakina Pulls Out of WTA Finals Due to Illness

World number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals due to a viral illness. The 27-year-old Kazakh announced her withdrawal on the eve of the tournament, ending her bid to successfully defend the title she won for the first time in 2025.

Rybakina expressed disappointment over her forced absence from the event in Indian Wells. She stated that while she enjoyed an incredible season, her body is not physically ready to compete, and she plans to spend time resting and recovering at home to prepare for the 2027 season.

The decision concludes the most successful year of Rybakina's career. During the 2026 season, she triumphed at both the Australian Open and the US Open, alongside victories in Stuttgart and Ningbo, while also finishing as runner-up at Indian Wells and Toronto. Her consistent performances secured her position as the year-end world number one in October, ending a 99-week reign by Belarusian player Sabalenka after defeating her in the US Open final.

Rybakina finishes the season with 54 victories out of 68 matches played, which includes winning 17 of her 19 matches in Grand Slam tournaments. Her success was further underscored by tour-leading statistics, including 438 aces served throughout the season, putting her 140 aces ahead of second-placed Sabalenka. Overall, she has claimed six of her 15 career titles since October of last year, marking a period of sustained dominance on the tennis tour.