Rybakina withdraws from WTA Finals, Kostyuk replaces her

Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals at Indian Wells, saying she is not physically ready to compete, and Marta Kostyuk has taken her place in the eight-player draw. The tournament began Sunday, November 8, with Kostyuk scheduled to open against Linda Noskova in Group 1.

The WTA identified a viral illness as the official reason for Rybakina’s withdrawal. In her statement, however, Rybakina described her condition more broadly, saying her body was not ready to compete and that she planned to rest and recover at home for the 2027 season. She did not identify a specific illness.

Rybakina was the defending champion, having won the 2025 Finals in Riyadh without losing a match. Her withdrawal ended her bid to retain the title and become the first player since Serena Williams in 2014 to win the tournament in consecutive years.

Kostyuk, the first alternate, enters the Finals for the first time. After facing Noskova, she is scheduled to play Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in the round-robin stage. Tournament director Garbiñe Muguruza said Kostyuk had earned the opportunity after a breakthrough season that included the Madrid title and a rise into the top 10.