WTA confirmed on November 7 that world No. 1 Elena Rybakina had withdrawn from the 2026 WTA Finals in Indian Wells with a viral illness. Marta Kostyuk takes her place in Group 1 and faces Linda Noskova in Sunday’s opening match, followed by round-robin meetings with Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.
Not ready to compete, with recovery before 2027
Rybakina said that despite an outstanding season her body was not ready to compete. She will rest and recover at home while preparing for 2027. Calling the Finals a special event, she expressed her disappointment, wished the remaining players well and looked forward to returning to Indian Wells in March.
Four titles and a secured year-end No. 1 ranking
WTA’s season summary credits her with a 54–14 record and titles at the Australian Open, Stuttgart, US Open and Ningbo. She won her third Grand Slam singles title at the US Open and became world No. 1, then secured the year-end top ranking while in Tokyo.
Her qualification route also differed from last year: she was the last qualifier in 2025 before winning unbeaten, whereas her 2026 US Open title made her the first singles qualifier this time. She had been due to compete as defending champion, world No. 1 and the earliest qualifier before the viral illness forced her withdrawal.
Replacement changes the field, not the secured annual ranking
Withdrawal ends Rybakina’s chance to defend the Finals title, but does not undo the 2026 year-end No. 1 ranking she had already secured. Kostyuk takes her place in Group 1 alongside Noskova, Gauff and Pegula, facing each in round-robin play. The Finals title and the year-end ranking are separate outcomes: the tournament champion is still to be decided, while the top year-end ranking was settled before the event.
