The best player in women’s tennis has decided her season’s biggest event matters more than one more week in Tokyo. Instead of chasing another trophy this week, she is protecting her body for the biggest stage of the fall.
Elena Rybakina, the world No. 1 and top seed at the Pan Pacific Open, withdrew from her quarterfinal match Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, with an undisclosed injury, sending Canada’s Leylah Fernandez into the semifinals.
Why did the world No. 1 withdraw?
Rybakina said she had been dealing with a minor injury for several days and needs to be ready for next month’s WTA Finals at Indian Wells, California. She did not describe the injury.
She delivered the news in person, standing on the court to address fans in Tokyo. The world No. 1 ended by saying she hopes to see them next year. Withdrawing with a walkover means Fernandez advances without playing.
The WTA Finals begin Nov. 8 and bring together the season’s top eight players. Rybakina won the event last year. Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final.
How did Rybakina secure the top ranking?
Rybakina guaranteed she will finish the year as the world No. 1 with her win over Yulia Putintseva on Thursday. She clinched the top spot with one of her final matches of the regular season.
It caps a strong season for the player from Kazakhstan, who won Wimbledon in 2022. She is known for one of the most powerful serves in the women’s game. Born in Moscow, she has represented Kazakhstan since 2018 and has become one of the most consistent players on tour.
Finishing the season as the world No. 1 is one of the sport’s biggest honors, reflecting consistent results across the entire year. Only a small group of women have finished a season ranked first since the rankings began in 1975.
Who advanced in Tokyo?
Fernandez will face Kamilla Rakhimova in the semifinals. Rakhimova beat Australia’s Maya Joint 7 to 5, 5 to 7, 6 to 1. Fernandez reached the semifinals without hitting a ball in the quarterfinals.
Slovakian teenager Mia Pohankova continued her surprising run by beating American Alycia Parks 7 to 6, 6 to 3. Pohankova, who turned 18 last week and entered with a wild card, earlier upset Japan’s Naomi Osaka. Her run has been one of the biggest stories of the tournament.
Pohankova will face the winner of a late quarterfinal between third seed Diana Shnaider and eighth seed Alex Eala of the Philippines.
What does this mean for Alex Eala?
Eala reached the quarterfinals with two straight wins, including a comeback against Australia’s Talia Gibson. Her match with Shnaider is a rematch of their meeting in Ningbo last week, which Shnaider won in straight sets. In that match, Eala saved six match points before losing.
A win would put Eala in the semifinals with a chance to reach a final in Tokyo. Eala has become one of the most followed players in Asia, and her matches draw big crowds and online audiences.
What is next for the world No. 1?
Rybakina will focus on getting healthy for Indian Wells, where she will try to defend her WTA Finals title as the world No. 1.
Iga Swiatek withdrew from Ningbo earlier this month with a thigh injury, and Karolina Muchova claimed the last spot in the field. The field for Indian Wells is now set.
For the world No. 1, the next two weeks will be about rest and preparation for the season finale. Her decision shows how players often manage their bodies late in a long season.
