Sport · Sri Lanka Bureau
World number one Rybakina withdraws from WTA Finals due to illness
Defending champion Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals citing a viral illness, forcing organisers to bring in Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk as her replacement in the eight-player competition.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The tennis world number one announced her withdrawal on Saturday, citing that she was not physically ready to compete at the prestigious Indian Wells event. Tournament organisers confirmed a viral illness as the official reason for Rybakina's departure, describing the withdrawal as disappointing.
Rybakina's withdrawal from the WTA Finals, where she was defending her title, opens the door for Kostyuk to take her place in the elite eight-player field. The Ukrainian player will now compete in one of women's professional tennis's most significant end-of-season tournaments.
The withdrawal marks a significant disruption to the WTA Finals schedule, as Rybakina had been expected to compete as the circuit's top-ranked player. Tournament officials are working to ensure the competition proceeds smoothly with Kostyuk's inclusion in the draw.
Rybakina's absence is likely to reshape the dynamics of the tournament, as other competing players adjust their strategic approach without facing the defending champion during the round-robin phase of competition.