Sports · Tennis · 2 hrs ago
Rybakina withdraws from Tokyo quarter-final with neck injury
Elena Rybakina withdrew from the Pan Pacific Open quarter-final in Tokyo with a neck injury.
She had been due to play Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, who advances to the semi-finals without a match.
Rybakina said she had been struggling with the injury for several days and could not play at her best.
Her win on Thursday secured the year-end world No.
1 ranking, the first time she has finished a season at the top.
The 27-year-old is the defending champion at the WTA Finals, an end-of-season tournament for the top eight players, scheduled for November 8-15 at Indian Wells.
The injury is not expected to change her plans for the Finals, though she has only just over a week to recover.
Fernandez will face Kamilla Rakhimova in the semi-finals.
Elena Rybakina withdrew from her Pan Pacific Open quarter-final in Tokyo because of a neck injury.
Her withdrawal gave Leylah Fernandez a walkover into the semi-finals.
Rybakina said she had been struggling with the injury for several days and did not feel able to play at her best.
She had secured the year-end world No. 1 ranking with her opening-match win over Yulia Putintseva.
Rybakina is expected to play at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells from November 8 to 15.
- Who
- Elena Rybakina withdrew; Leylah Fernandez advanced.
- What
- Rybakina withdrew from her Pan Pacific Open quarter-final because of a neck injury.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 2026.
- Where
- The Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
- Why
- She said neck pain and inflammation were affecting her ability to play at her best, and she wanted to be ready for the WTA Finals.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rybakina beat Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3, securing the year-end No. 1 ranking.
Rybakina withdrew before her quarter-final against Leylah Fernandez, who advanced to the semi-finals.
The WTA Finals are scheduled to be held at Indian Wells.
- Injury
- Neck inflammation and pain
- Tournament
- Pan Pacific Open, Tokyo
- Withdrawal opponent
- Leylah Fernandez
- Quarter-final result
- Fernandez advanced by walkover
- Year-end ranking
- Rybakina secured world No. 1 with her win over Yulia Putintseva
- Next event
- WTA Finals, Indian Wells, November 8-15
4 sources
What people are saying
Unfortunately, I’ve been experiencing inflammation and pain in my neck, which has been affecting my ability to play at my best.
I’ve been struggling for a couple of days with a little injury.
I hope to see you all next year.