Rybakina confirms she will play the WTA Finals in Indian Wells

Elena Rybakina has confirmed that she will play the WTA Finals, to be held in Indian Wells from 8 to 15 November. In a video message on the WTA's official social media accounts, the world No. 1 said she was very happy to qualify and invited fans to come and watch, The Astana Times reports. Rybakina was the first player to secure her place in the field of eight and will return as defending champion: in the 2025 final she beat Aryna Sabalenka 6:3, 7:6(0). On 9 October the WTA announced that Mirra Andreeva and Linda Noskova have also qualified. Together with Rybakina and Sabalenka, four of the eight participants are now known; the remaining places will be decided in the coming weeks. Rybakina's next event on her schedule is the WTA 500 in Ningbo (19–25 October), where she defends her title. As of 11 October there has been no official announcement of a withdrawal.