Tennis fans recently reacted to Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal from the 2025 Toray Pan Pacific Open, just after she secured her place at the 2025 WTA Finals. The season-ending tournament is scheduled to take place from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8, 2025, at the King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In addition to Rybakina, players such as Aryna Sabalenka, Iga ÅšwiÄ…tek, defending champion Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, and Jasmine Paolini have also qualified for the WTA Finals.
How Did the Tennis Fans React to Elena Rybakina Withdrawing From the 2025 Toray Pan Pacific Open?
Rybakina was seeded second at the 2025 Toray Pan Pacific Open and began her campaign in the second round after receiving a first-round bye. She defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 in her opening match and advanced to the semifinals by eliminating ninth seed Victoria Mboko 6-3, 7-6(4) in the quarterfinals.
By reaching the semifinals in Tokyo, the Kazakh surpassed Mirra Andreeva, claiming the final spot in the WTA Finals. After securing her place in the season-ending tournament, Rybakina announced her withdrawal from Tokyo, citing back problems as the reason for her decision.
“I’m very sorry I can’t play today. I have been having problems with my back this week and can’t play 100%. I am disappointed that my fans will not see me today but I hope to see you next year,” Rybakina said in a statement.
Rybakina’s withdrawal from the Toray Pan Pacific Open, shortly after securing her spot at the WTA Finals, drew various reactions from tennis fans on social media.
One fan criticized Rybakina’s statement regarding her withdrawal, suggesting that the Kazakh should have simply acknowledged her desire to avoid injury or fatigue ahead of the WTA Finals.
“I love this girl, but this is the most BS statement ever lmfao. She could have simply said “I did what I needed to do this week. I’m fatigued and don’t want to risk injury ahead of the WTA Finals” and it would have been perfectly acceptable,” a fan posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
I love this girl, but this is the most BS statement ever lmfao
She could have simply said “I did what I needed to do this week. I’m fatigued and don’t want to risk injury ahead of the WTA Finals” and it would have been perfectly acceptable https://t.co/JSGl41qw43
— Josh Gross (@josh3302) October 25, 2025
“Translation: I just qualified for the finals, so saving the bod. Good decision – though bad for the fans,” a fan wrote.
Translation: I just qualified for the finals, so saving the bod.
Good decision – though bad for the fans. https://t.co/Z5BuCUznxw— Stephanie Myles (@OpenCourt) October 25, 2025
Another fan remarked that Rybakina’s withdrawal was “predictable” since she had achieved her goal of qualifying for the WTA Finals by reaching the semifinals in Tokyo.
“Totally predictable. She has achieved what she wanted from this tournament. Shame for the tournament. Great for Noskova!” a fan posted.
Totally predictable. She has achieved what she wanted from this tournament. Shame for the tournament. Great for Noskova! https://t.co/Pm8ANESixn
— Kvittycat (@kvittycat53) October 25, 2025
Here are some other fan reactions:
“Her withdrawing to play finals when this could’ve been a realistic title,” a fan wrote.
Her withdrawing to play finals when this could’ve been a realistic title https://t.co/IO5Yv4YKdw pic.twitter.com/Tuub5ON6xP
— pootstan (@brokenumpchair) October 25, 2025
“gallll this title is on your platter which could’ve get better with ranking surpassing paolini and pegula. Anyways recover & do well in Finals,” a fan posted.
gallll this title is on your platter which could’ve get better with ranking surpassing paolini and pegula. Anyways recover & do well in Finals. https://t.co/qOVHjuiJDe
— d (@quititasap) October 25, 2025
“She’s been carrying all those expectations for weeks or even months, ofc her back is sore. Now that she’s qualified for the finals, please just let her rest and has a little vacation,” a fan wrote.
She’s been carrying all those expectations for weeks or even months, ofc her back is sore. Now that she’s qualified for the finals, please just let her rest and has a little vacation. https://t.co/YPT1O25N6v
— SEAN SETH 🦚 (@seancerian) October 25, 2025
Last year at the WTA Finals, Rybakina lost to Paolini 6-7(5), 4-6 and to eventual runner-up Zheng Qinwen 6-7(4), 6-3, 1-6 in her first and second round-robin matches, respectively. She managed to secure a win against Sabalenka (6-4, 3-6, 6-1) in her third round-robin match but was unable to advance further in the tournament.
Ive been an avid tennis fan since I was a child. This was a strategic move.