WTA Finals loses defending champion: Elena Rybakina shares news no one wanted to hear

WTA World No. 1 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the 2026 WTA Finals.Rybakina is the defending champion. Concerns mounted as she postponed her press conference on Friday because she was feeling unwell. Upon making the announcement, Rybakina said: “I’m going to spend some time resting and recovering at home and getting myself ready for the 2027 season.”Marta Kostyuk moves into her position and will face Linda Noskova to open Sunday’s round robin matches. Like Rybakina, Kostyuk had a career year but also dealt with injuries. MORE: Concerns rise as Elena Rybakina’s WTA Finals press conference is pushed back to SaturdayRybakina will end year as World No. 1Tennis – U.S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States – September 12, 2026 Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in action during her final match against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Robert Deutsch Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters (Reuters)She enjoyed a career-best season winning two Grand Slams and two additional WTA titles, including defending her title at the Ningbo Open. Rybakina played 68 tennis matches in 2026 finishing with a 54-14 record.Her success at the US Open and in the Asian swing helped her end the year as World No. 1.YEAR-END WORLD NO. 1 👑 Elena Rybakina will end 2026 at the top of the WTA rankings! 🔝 https://t.co/PzUkjDfDlV— TNT Sports (@tntsports) October 29, 2026MORE: At Ningbo Open, defending champion Elena Rybakina talks about newest addition to her teamRybakina played through injuries often in her career-defining seasonShe was not sure she was playing the US Open because of the foot injury that plagued her.At the Japan Open, she withdrew with a neck injury.Rybakina played through the adversity as much as possible but has always been clear that she plays when she feels she can compete well. Physically, her body must be beyond the point where she can power through.It is not unheard of for players to withdraw from the WTA Finals. In fact, Madison Keys withdrew during the tournament last year due to illness. Kostyuk is the first alternate, and Diana Shnaider is the second.Elina Svitolina and Coco Gauff are the only players left in the draw that won the WTA Finals in 2018 and 2024, respectively. Serena Williams was the last player to win more than WTA Finals title, earning five between 2001 and 2014. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —