Marta Kostyuk made an unexpected debut at the WTA Finals on Sunday after receiving a late call-up to replace world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, who withdrew citing a viral illness. The Ukrainian arrived at the season-ending championships on a four-match losing streak and had been battling a wrist injury that left her 'in pain every day' and forced her to miss the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and retire from the Ningbo Open.
Although the world No. 10 still travelled to Indian Wells to serve as an alternate at the WTA Finals, she never expected to play, let alone on day one. Kostyuk was unable to claim victory on her debut, losing 6-2 6-4 to Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, but she could still take positives from the match.
Playing Pain-Free for the First Time
After spending three months battling the wrist injury, the 24-year-old said this was the first time she had been able to compete pain-free, a promising sign for the rest of the week. "I wasn't expecting to start the tournament from the first match. I wasn't expecting to play at all, if I'm honest," Kostyuk said after coming in as an alternate when defending champion Rybakina pulled out.
According to the WTA, the world No. 10 also said she had been 'in pain every day for three months'. Sunday, when she lost to Noskova, was just the second day she didn't feel anything in her wrist. Kostyuk is also not considering surgery for now.
Looking Ahead to the Group Stage
"I think this is the most important thing for me right now. I'm happy to be back on court," the alternate added. "It's the end of the year. I'm happy to be here, ending the year strong."
Kostyuk will now face world No. 5 Jessica Pegula as the round-robin group stage continues. Pegula lost her opening match 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 to Coco Gauff on Sunday. She led 5-1 in the second set before Gauff reeled off five straight games.
Pegula saved a match point and successfully forced a decider but admitted she struggled to find energy in the final set. "To get me to work to win that set 7-6 instead of 6-1 or 6-2 or 6-3 even definitely didn't bode well for me going to the third," she explained. "Because I just used a massive amount of energy. It took like another hour for me to win the second set when it could've been done in one game."
Next Matches and Rybakina's Withdrawal
Noskova and Gauff will face each other next, before Kostyuk takes on Gauff and Noskova meets Pegula. In the other group, Aryna Sabalenka faces Karolina Muchova in their first round-robin match on Monday, while Mirra Andreeva is up against Elina Svitolina.
Rybakina withdrew on Saturday, the eve of the tournament, due to illness. In a statement, she said: "I am really sad to inform all my fans and supporters that I unfortunately have to withdraw from the WTA Finals this year. I've had an incredible season but my body is just not physically ready to compete. I'm going to spend some time resting and recovering at home and getting myself ready for the 2027 season. The WTA Finals is a very special tournament and I wish everyone the best of luck this week. I can't wait to be back in Indian Wells in March."
