WTA Elena Rybakina WTA Finals 2026

Rybakina's interview in which she hinted at her withdrawal from the WTA Finals: "I don't feel well"

Andrés Tomás Rico - 8 Nov 2026
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Rybakina's interview in which her withdrawal from the WTA Finals was anticipated: "I don't feel well". Photo: Getty Images

The WTA Finals have not yet begun, and in just a few days, everything has happened. First, there was the rant from Jessica Pegula about Mirra Andreeva and her coach Conchita Martínez, which was picked up by the microphones at the practice courts. Following that was the absence of a group photo due to Elina Svitolina's rejection to appear alongside Russian and Belarusian players, and finally, the last-minute withdrawal of Elena Rybakina, the reigning champion and world number one.

This last point was a cold shower for the tournament organizers and also for tennis fans who will not be able to see the best player in the world at one of the most important tournaments of the year. The Kazakh, who will be replaced by Marta Kostyuk, issued a statement saying, “I am very saddened to inform all my fans and supporters that, unfortunately, I will not be able to compete in the WTA Finals this year. I have had an incredible season, but my body is still not physically prepared to compete.”

Rybakina had to interrupt an interview an hour before her withdrawal from the WTA Finals

So far, the origin of the injury has not been revealed, nor if it is a health issue. The fact is that during an interview with Canal + Poland, where the world number one appeared wearing sunglasses, she seemed absent and very disconnected.

So much so that the journalist had to ask her, “Is everything okay? If you want to stop, we can stop,” to which Rybakina replied “yes, please”. “Are you okay?” the reporter insisted, to which the world number one responded with complete honesty: “No, I don't feel well”. At that moment, the interview was interrupted, and a few hours later, Rybakina's withdrawal from the WTA Finals was confirmed. 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La entrevista de Rybakina en la que se anticipó su retirada de las WTA Finals: "No me siento bien"