All WTA Finals tennis players were scheduled to have their press conferences on Friday at Indian Wells. Those press conferences went off without a hitch except for Elena Rybakina‘s.
The reigning WTA World No. 1, who will finish the season holding that ranking, had her press conference pushed to Saturday due to illness. Rybakina struggled with her health since taking over the World No. 1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open.
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Allergies, the residual issues with the foot injury, and a neck injury at last week’s Japan Open have caused Rybakina problems. Fans are worried that she will not be able to compete at the WTA Finals. The defending champion is set to play Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova on Sunday.
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Marta Kostyuk is the alternate
Tennis – U.S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States – September 12, 2026 Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina poses with Maria Sharapova and the winner’s trophy after her final match against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Robert Deutsch Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters (Reuters)
Should Rybakina not be able to play, Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk will step into her spot.
Kostyuk has also struggled with her own injuries throughout the year. She managed to have achieve career-best results in the process.
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Rybakina spotted in WTA Finals photos, video
The WTA Finals photos were taken on Wednesday but released on Friday. This year, individual photos were taken in lieu of the iconic group photo.
The behind-the-scenes videos were much better, and Rybakina appeared in one with Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
