Former world No 1 slams Elena Rybakina decision-making after late WTA Finals withdrawal

Richie Mills 11 Nov 2026 2:00 AM

Pictured: Elena Rybakina withdraws from the Pan Pacific Open

Elena Rybakina has copped some criticism from Rennae Stubbs

Rennae Stubbs has criticised Elena Rybakina’s decision to play at the Pan Pacific Open after her sudden withdrawal from the WTA Finals.

The world No 1 was the favourite for the season-ending event in Indian Wells but pulled out on Sunday due to a viral illness.

The 27-year-old won the Australian Open and US Open and, just as she aimed to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to secure back-to-back WTA Finals triumphs, Rybakina pulled the plug on her season.

She said before her round-robin match with Linda Noskova, “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. 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 won the Ningbo Open last month and although it seemed she was set to secure the year-end No 1 ranking ahead of Aryna Sabalenka, the former Wimbledon champion headed to Tokyo for the Pan Pacific Open.

The Kazakh achieved that goal after her last 16 win, only to pull out of her quarter-final with a neck injury. And after dropping out of the WTA Finals, former world No 1 women’s doubles player Stubbs has laid into her “wild” scheduling.

Serena Williams’ coach said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, “I question her scheduling. Why, why, why play Tokyo? Somebody said, ‘She is wearing head to toe Yonex,’ and that means you usually go and play a tournament in Japan because it was part of her contract.

“And I am sure it was part of her contract. She played a match and then pulled out. If you have any inkling of sickness or any body ache, I don’t understand why you play [in] Tokyo.

“You just won Ningbo, get out of there, go to California, get yourself ready to play outside and in hotter conditions. I just don’t understand her scheduling. To me, it’s just wild some of the choices that she has.”

Stubbs added that Rybakina went to Indian Wells but then “looked like hell” before pulling out at the eleventh hour. Alternate Marta Kostyuk took her place in the competition, with the Ukrainian losing her opener against Noskova in straight sets.

Rybakina will now enjoy her off-season before beginning preparations for the 2027 Australian Open.