Elena Rybakina expects to return for next month\u2019s WTA Finals in Indian Wells after withdrawing from Tokyo quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
Published On 30 Oct 202630 Oct 2026<\/p>\n
Elena Rybakina has pulled out of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with a neck injury, a day after she secured the year-end world number one ranking.<\/p>\n
The Moscow-born Kazakh was due to face Canada\u2019s Leylah Fernandez in the quarterfinals, but instead she came onto the court to address the crowd and sign autographs.<\/p>\n
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She said she would return for next month\u2019s WTA Finals in Indian Wells.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just wanted to say thank you so much for coming today, but unfortunately I won\u2019t be able to play,\u201d said the 27-year-old.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been struggling for a couple of days with a little injury. It\u2019s difficult for me to come and play at 100 percent since there is also a very important tournament coming up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rybakina clinched the year-end top ranking with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Yulia Putintseva in her opening match in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
She became world number one for the first time last month after winning the US Open<\/a>, replacing Aryna Sabalenka at the summit.<\/p>\n The achievement capped a year in which Rybakina also won the Australian Open in January and now has three Grand Slam titles.<\/p>\n