Culture & Entertainment · Malaysia Bureau
Top-ranked Rybakina pulls out of WTA Finals due to illness
World No. 1 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals, citing a viral illness that has left her unable to compete at the season-ending championship. The defending champion said she is not physically prepared for the tournament.
LSN Malaysia ·
Elena Rybakina, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player and defending WTA Finals champion, has announced her withdrawal from the prestigious season-ender due to a viral illness.
The Kazakhstani tennis star cited her current physical condition as the reason for stepping back from the tournament, stating she is not ready to compete at the level required for the competition.
Rybakina's absence represents a significant blow to the year-end championship, which traditionally brings together the season's top-performing players. As the defending champion and world No. 1, her participation would have been among the tournament's main draws.
The withdrawal marks another disruption to the WTA calendar, as players continue to manage health concerns throughout the professional tennis season. Tournament organisers will now adjust the draw to accommodate Rybakina's absence, with her replacement to be determined according to WTA Finals regulations.