ASTANA – The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has criticised the demanding tennis calendar following Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal from the WTA Finals due to a viral illness.
Elena Rybakina. Photo credit: Kazakhstan Tennis Federation
In a statement released on Nov. 10, the PTPA said the world No. 1 had already withdrawn from the Tokyo tournament the previous week due to a neck injury.
Despite winning two Grand Slam titles and four titles overall in 2026, Rybakina was unable to compete in the season-ending event.
“Players shouldn’t reach the biggest event of the year running on empty,” the association said, reiterating its call for a season calendar that allows players to remain healthy through the final tournaments.
Meanwhile, tennis commentator Andrei Pak said Rybakina’s limited public communication had contributed to speculation surrounding her withdrawal and professional relationship, reported Tengri Sport on Nov. 11.
“She is the world No. 1, and she needs to change something in this regard. If Rybakina does not start speaking publicly and clarifying situations herself, speculation and unconfirmed rumours surrounding her name will continue,” Pak said.
He also suggested that her relationship with coach Stefano Vukov could be at the root of the situation, while acknowledging that such claims remained his personal assessment.
“In my subjective opinion, the root of the problems lies there,” he said, referring to what he described as a complicated personal relationship between Rybakina and Vukov.
