Kostyuk takes the opening-match slot
Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the 2026 WTA Finals at Indian Wells, the WTA announced on November 7. Marta Kostyuk takes her place in Group 1 and will face Linda Noskova in the tournament’s opening match on Sunday, November 8.
Kostyuk will also meet Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula during the round-robin stage. Fans following the opening session should use the updated draw and order of play, rather than the earlier Rybakina-Noskova pairing.
Year-end No. 1 remains secured
The WTA confirms that Rybakina has already secured the year-end No. 1 singles ranking. She retains that confirmed achievement as Kostyuk joins the Finals field.
Rybakina entered as defending champion after winning the 2025 event in Riyadh without a defeat. She ends her 2026 WTA season with a 54-14 record and four titles: the Australian Open, Stuttgart, the US Open and Ningbo.
