Elena Rybakina's withdrawal from the 2026 WTA Finals has raised concerns after footage emerged showing the world No. 1 struggling to complete a television interview shortly before pulling out of the season-ending tournament. The defending champion was speaking with Czech broadcaster Canal+ Sport when she told the interviewer that she was not feeling well and asked to stop the conversation.
The brief exchange has since circulated on social media, offering a glimpse of the Kazakh's condition in the hours before her withdrawal was confirmed. Rybakina appeared visibly unwell during the interview, prompting the journalist to check whether she wanted to continue. The 27-year-old eventually asked to end the conversation.
Her withdrawal was announced on Saturday, just one day before the singles competition was scheduled to begin at Indian Wells. The WTA confirmed that the official reason was a viral illness, meaning Rybakina will be unable to defend the title she won unbeaten at the 2025 edition in Riyadh.
The absence is a major setback for the tournament, particularly given Rybakina's status as the reigning champion and current world No. 1. She will nevertheless finish 2026 at the top of the rankings, having secured the year-end position following her remarkable campaign, which included victories at the Australian Open and US Open.
Rybakina asks to stop interview after admitting she is unwell
The interview with Canal+ Sport was supposed to be part of Rybakina's media commitments ahead of the WTA Finals. However, the conversation was cut short after the interviewer noticed that something was wrong and offered to stop if the player was uncomfortable.
"Is everything okay? If you want to stop, we can stop," the interviewer asked.
"Yeah, please," Rybakina replied.
"Are you okay?"
"No, not feeling well," the Kazakh answered.
Rybakina then ended the interview, with the footage showing her looking pale and visibly uncomfortable. The exchange gained further significance after the announcement of her withdrawal later that day.
The situation had already raised questions about her availability. Rybakina's scheduled press conference on Friday had been postponed until Saturday after tournament organizers said she was not feeling well. Her subsequent withdrawal confirmed that she would not be fit to compete.
Elena Rybakina miała porozmawiać z @SaKostecka przed rozpoczęciem WTA Finals, jednak ostatecznie do rozmowy nie doszło, a tenisistka ostatecznie wycofała się z turnieju. Życzymy szybkiego powrotu do zdrowia! https://t.co/lhkY5tPiXx
— CANAL+ SPORT (@CANALPLUS_SPORT) November 7, 2026
Rybakina will not defend WTA Finals title despite finishing year as No. 1
The WTA later identified a viral illness as the official reason for her withdrawal. Rybakina also addressed the decision in a statement, explaining that her body was not physically ready for the demands of the competition.
"I am really sad to inform all my fans and supporters that I unfortunately have to withdraw from the WTA Finals this year. I've had an incredible season but my body is just not physically ready to compete," she said. "I'm going to spend some time resting and recovering at home and getting myself ready for the 2027 season."
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Rybakina leaves the tournament after a season in which she won four titles, including both the Australian Open and US Open. Her triumph in New York secured her first world No. 1 ranking, while her overall 54-14 record underlined the consistency of her campaign.
She was also returning as the defending WTA Finals champion after winning all five of her matches in Riyadh last year. Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, the first alternate, has taken her place in Group 1 and will face Linda Noskova in Sunday's opening match, alongside Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in the group.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
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