WTA Finals star 'in pain every day' breaks silence on last-minute call-up
Marta Kostyuk made an unexpected debut at the WTA Finals on Sunday after getting a late call-up to replace world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, who withdrew citing a viral illness. The Ukrainian came into the season-ending championships on a four-match losing streak and had been battling a wrist injury, which left her ‘in pain every day’ and forced her to miss the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and retire from the Ningbo Open. Although the world No. 10 still travelled to Indian Wells to be an alternate at the WTA Finals, she never expected to play – let alone on day one.
TL;DR
- Marta Kostyuk replaced Elena Rybakina at the WTA Finals due to Rybakina's viral illness.
- Kostyuk had been dealing with a wrist injury causing daily pain for three months.
- This was Kostyuk's first pain-free competition in three months, despite losing her debut match.
- Elena Rybakina withdrew citing illness, resting for the 2027 season.
- Jessica Pegula lost her opening match to Coco Gauff after a tough three-set battle.