The WTA Finals are left without their champion and world number one: “I’m sorry, my body is not ready”

The WTA Finals opens its headquarters this Sunday in Indian Wells, the facility that annually hosts the ATP and WTA Masters 1000 during the month of March. From Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) to a paradise highly appreciated by tennis players, who vote in its favor when the best event in that category has to be chosen.

However, the new experience began with an unexpected blow. Just on the eve of the beginning of the new era, the loss of the current champion and world number one of the year. He will not lose this condition despite this last minute drop in the top eight event.

Champion of the Australian Open and the US Open, the Kazakh Elena Rybakina resigned from Indian Wells in a statement. It was based on physical issues, not fully detailed.

“I am very sad to announce that, unfortunately, I have to withdraw from the WTA Finals. I have had an incredible season, but my body is not physically prepared to compete. I am going to spend some time resting and recovering at home, preparing for the 2027 season,” she explained.

Rybakina was supposed to lead Group 1. Her place will be taken by one of the reserve players, the Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk. The queen of 2026 had to open the competition facing the Czech Linda Noskovastarting at local noon, 9:00 p.m. Spanish peninsular time.

Next it was the turn of the other two members of the group, the Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. On Monday, it’s Group 2’s turn with the duels Aryna Sabalenka-Karolina Muchova and Mirra Andreeva-Elina Svitolina.