Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo due to a neck injury, one day after clinching the year-end world number one ranking.
The 27-year-old was scheduled to face Canada's Leylah Fernandez in the quarterfinals, but instead came onto the court to address the crowd and sign autographs.
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming today, but unfortunately I won’t be able to play,” she said. “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.”
Rybakina secured the year-end top ranking with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Yulia Putintseva in her opening match in Tokyo. She first became world number one last month after winning the US Open, replacing Aryna Sabalenka at the summit. The achievement capped a year in which she also won the Australian Open in January, and she now has three Grand Slam titles.
She arrived in Tokyo after winning her fourth title of the season at the Ningbo Open in China last week, beating Fernandez in the final. She said she would return for next month's WTA Finals in Indian Wells.
“Thank you so much for all the support throughout the year, especially here in Tokyo,” she added. “It’s an amazing city. I really enjoy it every time I come. Thanks again and hope to see you all next year.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Rybakina's withdrawal from the Pan Pacific Open highlights the physical toll of a demanding season on top players.
- Her focus on recovering for the WTA Finals in Indian Wells underscores the significance of that year-ending event.
- The injury comes just after she achieved the year-end number one ranking, adding a note of uncertainty to her preparations for the finals.
Background
Elena Rybakina, originally from Moscow and representing Kazakhstan, has had a breakout year in 2026. She won the Australian Open in January and the US Open in September, earning her first world number one ranking. With three Grand Slam titles, she is one of the leading figures in women's tennis.
What to Watch
- Whether Rybakina will be ready to compete at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells next month.
- Any updates from Rybakina's team on the severity and recovery timeline of her neck injury.
- How the Pan Pacific Open field adjusts in the absence of its top seed.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedRybakina withdrew from the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with a neck injury.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Elena Rybakina has pulled out of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with a neck injury”
- SupportedRybakina withdrew one day after securing the year-end world number one ranking.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “a day after she secured the year-end world number one ranking”
- SupportedThe summary describes Rybakina as a Kazakh star who withdrew ahead of the WTA Finals after securing the top ranking.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “She said she would return for next month’s WTA Finals in Indian Wells. [...] a day after she secured the year-end world number one ranking.”
- SupportedRybakina was due to face Leylah Fernandez in the quarterfinals, but came onto court to address the crowd and sign autographs instead.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The Moscow-born Kazakh was due to face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the quarterfinals, but instead she came onto the court to address the crowd and sign autographs.”
- SupportedRybakina said, “I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming today, but unfortunately I won’t be able to play.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““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.”
- SupportedRybakina said she had been struggling for a couple of days with a little injury and could not play at 100 percent with an important tournament coming up.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““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.””
- SupportedRybakina clinched the year-end top ranking with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Yulia Putintseva in her opening match in Tokyo.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Rybakina clinched the year-end top ranking with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Yulia Putintseva in her opening match in Tokyo.”
- SupportedRybakina first became world number one last month after winning the US Open, replacing Aryna Sabalenka.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “She became world number one for the first time last month after winning the US Open , replacing Aryna Sabalenka at the summit.”
- SupportedRybakina won the Australian Open in January and now has three Grand Slam titles.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The achievement capped a year in which Rybakina also won the Australian Open in January and now has three Grand Slam titles.”
- SupportedRybakina arrived in Tokyo after winning her fourth title of the season at the Ningbo Open in China the previous week, beating Fernandez in the final.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “She arrived in Tokyo after winning her fourth title of the season last week at the Ningbo Open in China, beating Fernandez in the final.”
- SupportedRybakina said she would return for next month’s WTA Finals in Indian Wells.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “She said she would return for next month’s WTA Finals in Indian Wells.”
- SupportedRybakina thanked supporters, called Tokyo an amazing city, and said she hoped to see them next year.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Thank you so much for all the support throughout the year, especially here in Tokyo,” she said. “It’s an amazing city. I really enjoy it every time I come. Thanks again and hope to see you all next year.””