Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo because of an injury, just one day after securing the WTA year-end world No. 1 ranking for the first time.
The 27-year-old Kazakh was scheduled to face Leylah Fernandez in Friday’s quarterfinals but withdrew before the match began, giving the Canadian a walkover into the semifinals.
Rybakina appeared on court to address spectators and explain why she could not compete.
Speaking to the crowd, she acknowledged that she had been struggling physically.
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming today, but unfortunately I won’t be able to play,” said the 27-year-old.
“I’ve been struggling for a couple of days with a little injury.
“It’s difficult for me to come and play at 100 percent since there is also a very important tournament coming up.”
It is believed Rybakina is suffering from some sort of neck injury.
A difficult end to a milestone week
Rybakina had arrived in Tokyo following another successful week on the WTA Tour.
On Sunday, she defeated Fernandez 6–2, 6–2 in the Ningbo Open final to secure her fourth singles title of 2026.
She then opened her Tokyo campaign with a convincing 6–2, 6–3 victory over fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva on Thursday.
That result guaranteed Rybakina would finish the season as the world’s top-ranked woman, adding another significant achievement to a campaign featuring Australian Open and US Open titles.
Within 24 hours, however, her immediate priority had shifted from pursuing another trophy to recovering in time for the season-ending championship.
WTA Finals preparations now the priority
The WTA Finals will take place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California from 8–15 November.
Rybakina has already qualified for the eight-player singles field and is scheduled to defend the title she won in Riyadh in 2025.
The championship brings together the season’s leading performers in a round-robin format, with the top two players from each group progressing to the semifinals.
Her Tokyo withdrawal does not change her year-end No. 1 ranking, which is already secured.
It does, however, leave a question over her physical condition before one of the most important tournaments on the calendar.
Rybakina also missed the Wuhan Open earlier in October because of a foot injury. There is no confirmed evidence that the problem responsible for her Tokyo withdrawal is related to that earlier issue.
For now, she has indicated that she intends to compete at Indian Wells, but her fitness will need to be assessed closer to the event.
Fernandez advances without playing
Rybakina’s withdrawal sends Fernandez directly into the Tokyo semifinals.
The Canadian had earned her quarterfinal place with a 6–2, 7–6(8) victory over fifth seed Elise Mertens on Thursday.
She will now face Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, who defeated Australia’s Maya Joint 7–5, 5–7, 6–1 in Friday’s quarterfinals.
Fernandez has enjoyed a productive closing stretch of the season, including a title in Singapore and her run to the Ningbo final.
The unexpected walkover gives her an additional day of rest before attempting to reach another final.
For Rybakina, attention turns to Indian Wells.
After a season that has brought two Grand Slam championships, four tour titles and the year-end No. 1 ranking, the remaining question is whether she can recover sufficiently to defend her WTA Finals crown.
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