World No.1 Elena Rybakina withdraws from WTA Finals with viral illness
The gist
World number one Elena Rybakina withdrew from the WTA Finals in Indian Wells with a viral illness.
Her title defence ends before play begins; she now targets the 2027 season.
How it unfolded
- Oct 2026Rybakina secures the year-end world number one ranking while competing in Tokyo, having ended Sabalenka's 99-week run at the top.
- Nov 2, 2026TikTok announces a content partnership with the WTA, including an exclusive livestream of the official WTA Finals Draw Ceremony on November 3.
- Nov 7, 2026Rybakina withdraws from the WTA Finals in Indian Wells because of a viral illness, on the eve of the tournament.
Key terms
- WTA Finals
- The season-ending championship of the women's professional tennis tour, featuring the year's top singles players and doubles teams.
- WTA
- The worldwide professional tennis tour for women, governed by the Women's Tennis Association.
- Draw Ceremony
- A tie or draw in sport occurs when results are identical or inconclusive, so neither side wins or loses.
Source: Wikipedia