Unobstructed by the temporary stadiums and sponsor village that are set up for the March event, the grounds of the tennis center now have clear views of the surrounding mountains. While the players are still using the lounges and amenities in Stadium 1, all matches are played in the more intimate Stadium 2 with seating for 8,000.

The sold-out first session featured the players from Group 1. Linda Noskova [8] played alternate Marta Kostyuk. The Czech player won her Finals debut 6-2 6-4. She was originally scheduled to play world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, who withdrew Saturday morning due to a viral illness.

The reigning Wimbledon champ had no trouble readjusting for her new opponent with little time to prepare. After the decisive victory, the 21-year-old told media: “Obviously having new opponents or getting to know this fact just 24 hours before actually playing a match is not the comfiest position that you can be in, but I don’t think that I really mind it. Usually I don’t really care who I’m playing against.”

Coco Gauff [4] defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula [5] in a topsy-turvy 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 match that stretched 2:39 hours. Pegula had Gauff on the ropes in the second set racing to a 5-1 lead before the 22-year-old fought her way back to a 6-5 position in the set, earning a match point. Still, they split sets with a 5-7 tiebreak. In the decider, Gauff held her advantage throughout, and won the match on her serve.

The 32-year-old was complimentary of her former doubles partner, saying: “It’s always tough against her. She makes you earn every single point in every game […] It’s just such a fine line of trying to be aggressive and not overplay, and honestly her movement, I say this every time, but it is the best on tour.”

Gauff’s spirits were high when she met with press after her win. Asked about the recent hot mic recording, in which Pegula made an unflattering comparison between Gauff and Andreeva, the world No. 4 dismissed any suggestion that there may be any lingering resentment after apologies from player and coach, “I know her heart and it’s all good. I don’t feel any type, we’re cool.”

With the tournament moved to home soil, Gauff’s little brother was able to travel to see her, and apparently the two got carried away playing video games late on Saturday night and were called out by a friend in the next room: “Me and my brother were screaming playing Fortnite and we kind of forgot we were in a hotel. So we’re working on keeping our noise down, but I’ll be back on the game tonight for sure.”

The US relocation also made it possible for Gunna, who recently featured her in a music video, to attend the match. Gauff told the media she arranged for Chris Eubanks to start coaching the rapper back home in Atlanta and offered to hit with him one day, provided he keeps practicing and can handle a rally with her.

The Group 1 round robin will pick up again Tuesday.

Elena Rybakina miała porozmawiać z @SaKostecka przed rozpoczęciem WTA Finals, jednak ostatecznie do rozmowy nie doszło, a tenisistka ostatecznie wycofała się z turnieju.

Życzymy szybkiego powrotu do zdrowia! https://t.co/lhkY5tPiXx

— CANAL+ SPORT (@CANALPLUS_SPORT) November 7, 2026

Rybakina broke our hearts when she announced her withdrawal from the WTA Finals Indian Wells just one day before the tournament was set to begin. With only eight players in the singles draw, the withdrawal of any competitor is a significant blow, but Rybakina’s absence is particularly disappointing. She was not only the top seed and defending champion but also the first player to qualify for this year’s edition.

The initial explanation for Rybakina’s withdrawal was given as “medical reasons,” which was soon clarified as a “viral illness.”

“Is everything okay?” the interviewer asked, noticing Rybakina’s difficulty concentrating. “If you want to stop, we can stop,” she offered.

“Yeah, please,” Rybakina replied.

“Are you okay?”

“No, not feeling well.”

Rybakina eventually left the interview, seemingly in a hurry and visibly struggling, giving the impression that she might be on the verge of vomiting or even collapsing.

It is clear that Rybakina tried her best to fulfill her media obligations despite feeling so unwell, but her body simply wouldn’t cooperate. It is heartbreaking that she won’t get the chance to defend her title at such a prestigious event, especially after being the first to secure her place in the field. Marta Kostyuk has stepped in to replace her.

The final was initially a close contest, with both players trading breaks in the opening six games to reach 3-3. However, Liu shifted gears from that point on, reeling off nine consecutive games to complete the victory in one hour and 32 minutes.

Liu is now 2-0 head-to-head against Eala, having also defeated the Filipina in the first round of Guangzhou last year.

The American capped an impressive week by claiming the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open title without losing a set. Her impressive run included victories over Tatiana Prozorova, Katie Boulter, Zeynep Sonmez and Alexandra Shubladze before she overcame Eala in the championship match. With the 26-year-old’s breakthrough triumph, the number of first-time WTA Tour title winners in 2026 has now reached 13.

Liu had previously reached just one WTA final, finishing runner-up to Martina Trevisan in Rabat in 2022.

Cirstea suffered a 6-2 6-3 defeat to world No. 136 Alexandra Shubladze of Russia, making the upset even more surprising given that she was the top seed in Hong Kong. It was her first time occupying that position at a Tour-level event since Cluj-Napoca in 2023, while Shubladze was making her first appearance in a WTA 250 main draw.

Having said 2026 would be her last season, Cirstea “started to have doubts about retirement” after an exceptionally successful year that saw her reach a career-high ranking of No. 15 in September, which she still holds. Moreover, she recorded a career-best 40 match wins in 2026, surpassing her previous record of 32 victories, set in 2013.

However, a disappointing Asian swing appears to have taken a toll on her motivation, leaving Cirstea feeling drained and prompting her to end her tennis career. Speaking to the South China Morning Post, the Romanian said:

“But with the way the things finished here in Asia [where she also lost early in Wuhan, Ningbo and Tokyo], I think the decision is quite clear. I was out of batteries, I didn’t have anything, and it’s been a long year. I need to take a break to process everything, then the final announcement will probably come in a couple of weeks.“

Rybakina traveled to Indian Wells, posed for player portraits and editorial coverage, only to deliver a cold shower to fans with the announcement that she was withdrawing due to a medical issue, later confirmed to be a viral illness. The Kazakhstani explained that her body was 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 27-year-old Rybakina said. “The WTA Finals is a very special tournament and I wish everyone the best of luck this week. Can’t wait to be back in Indian Wells in March!”

Last year, Rybakina captured the WTA Finals Riyadh without losing a single match. This season, she became the first singles player to qualify for the prestigious tournament after winning her third Grand Slam title at the US Open, where she also reached the No. 1 spot in the rankings.

Marta Kostyuk will take Rybakina’s place in Group 1 and face Linda Noskova in the tournament’s opening match on Sunday, followed by round-robin clashes against Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.

 

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While practicing in Indian Wells ahead of the WTA Finals, Pegula was unaware that the microphones were on when she made some unflattering comments about Andreeva to her coach, calling the young Russian “a nice girl, but she’s a diva.” But Andreeva clearly isn’t holding a grudge. In fact, she included a photo with Pegula in her latest Instagram carousel, sharing snapshots from the official WTA Finals photoshoot. In the picture, Andreeva is seen flashing a genuine, warm smile as she looks at Pegula.

Both players were dressed head-to-toe in Chanel, and Pegula couldn’t resist adding a witty comment under the photo: “Divas in Chanel.” A clever little remark that brought the whole awkward episode full circle.

The comments in question came during a practice session in which Pegula appeared particularly frustrated with Andreeva’s on-court behavior. Unaware that their conversation was being broadcast, the American openly shared her thoughts with her coach.

“If I was a coach and my girl, you just played four great games, and you’re up four-zero, and you’re mad at me, hitting balls at me, I would be like, first of all, [that’s] disrespectful to the other person,” Pegula said. “You’re up four-zero, shut the fuck up. But she just can’t.”

Pegula also brought up fellow American Coco Gauff, suggesting that Andreeva could reach an even higher level if she adopted Gauff’s mindset. “If she had Coco’s mentality, she’d be better than Coco,” Pegula said.

The incident quickly became a talking point, prompting the WTA to issue an apology for failing to inform players that the microphones were on and that their private conversations could be heard by the public. The organization took full responsibility for the serious oversight.

With Andreeva showing no signs of holding a grudge and Pegula now laughing along with the “diva” label, the two have managed to turn an uncomfortable moment into a rather entertaining social media exchange.

Official player portraits from the 2026 WTA Finals

Styled by Danyul Brown, the singles players showcased a range of runway-inspired looks, wearing pieces from the Fall/Winter 2026 and Resort 2027 collections of some of the world’s leading fashion houses.

Top seed and defending champion Elena Rybakina went for casual Dior style, including ripped jeans and flats.

Aryna Sabalenka stands out with a vamp-inspired look, pairing a black leather miniskirt with a red leather jacket worn over a matching bra. She completed the outfit with black pointed-toe shoes and eye-catching red socks. The Belarusian’s outfit combines pieces from Gucci and Nike.

Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula are in head-to-toe Chanel. Their ensembles are classy, although I can’t help feeling there’s one layer too many.

Coco Gauff stays faithful to Miu Miu, this time in a schoolgirl aesthetic.

My favorite look is Elina Svitolina in Tom Ford. The Ukrainian pulls off an intriguing mix of feminine sensuality and sharp menswear-inspired tailoring, pairing black tights and stilettos with a shirt-and-suit combination featuring an unexpected lace detail. A beige bomber jacket on top adds yet another contrasting element into the mix. It’s an unusual combination that works beautifully.

Karolina Muchova looked every bit the professional model in her unconventional Balenciaga ensemble.

Linda Noskova showcased her self-described “tomboy” style with outerwear from The Frankie Shop paired with Missoni leather shorts and Miista knee-high boots.

Complementing the official portraits, editorial photography by Clara Balzary features players in smaller group vignettes across fan-inspired settings.

The WTA Finals begin Sunday, November 8, as the world’s top eight singles players and doubles teams compete for a share of the $10 million prize purse and the season-ending championship titles.

Following the unexpected change of plans that saw the tournament abruptly relocate from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Indian Wells, California, the WTA Finals will offer $10 million in prize money this year, a 35.5% decrease from the $15.5 million available last season. An undefeated champion will take home $3.37 million, compared to the $5.235 million Elena Rybakina earned for her perfect run to the title last year.

This year, the singles champion will receive a one-of-a-kind MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure Mercedes-AMG SL 55 4MATIC+. The exclusive model boasts an ultraviolet exterior inspired by the WTA’s iconic purple brand color, 21-inch AMG forged wheels, a crystal-white MANUFAKTUR Nappa leather interior and carbon-fiber trim. Custom touches include exclusive WTA Finals-inspired details, embroidered headrest cushions and a personalized badge bearing the champion’s name.

The car will be officially presented to the singles champion during the trophy ceremony on Sunday, November 15. The doubles champions will also each receive a complimentary 12-month lease of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

The $10 million total prize pool for the 2026 WTA Finals is broken down by round, participation, and tournament type below.

SINGLES TOURNAMENT ($8,000,000 total allocation)

• Undefeated Champion Max Payout: $3,370,000
• Finals Win: $1,640,000
• Semifinals Win: $820,000
• Round Robin Win: $230,000
• Full Participant Fee (3 matches): $220,000
• Partial Participant Fee (2 matches): $180,000
• Partial Participant Fee (1 match): $150,000

DOUBLES TOURNAMENT ($2,000,000 total allocation per team)

• Undefeated Champion Max Payout: $725,000
• Finals Win: $330,000
• Semifinals Win: $155,000
• Round Robin Win: $50,000
• Full Participant Fee (3 matches): $90,000
• Partial Participant Fee (2 matches): $75,000
• Partial Participant Fee (1 match): $60,000

ALTERNATE FEES

• Singles 0 matches played: $100,000
• Singles 1 match played: $140,000
• Singles 2 matches played: $170,000
• Doubles 0 matches played: $40,000
• Doubles 1 match played: $55,000
• Doubles 2 matches played: $70,000

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian players have often refused to shake hands with opponents representing Russia or Belarus, so Svitolina’s reported reluctance to appear in a group photo alongside Mirra Andreeva or Aryna Sabalenka comes as little surprise.

The WTA appears to have respected her position, opting to avoid making an issue of the situation and instead introduce a series of individual player portraits. According to the organization, the portraits “will celebrate each qualifier’s individuality, personal style and unique story, offering fans a new perspective on the stars of women’s tennis.”

The full portrait collection will debut across the WTA’s digital and social media channels on Friday.

The WTA Finals begin on November 8 in Indian Wells, featuring the eight best players of the season competing for the prestigious year-end title. Svitolina, Andreeva and Sabalenka have all been drawn into Group 2 alongside Karolina Muchova, setting up an interesting group-stage dynamic.

“She’s always been very nice to me, but I’ve lost a little bit of respect for her because I’m just like, this girl—I mean, she’s a nice girl, but she’s a diva,” Pegula said.

In a statement to Front Office Sports, the WTA acknowledged its mistake, saying: “The WTA takes full responsibility for failing to inform our players and their teams that microphones, in place to give fans a livestream of the players’ practice, were active on the courts at the WTA Finals. We sincerely apologize for failing to meet our responsibility to ensure players and coaches were properly informed.”

A source within the tour told FOS that the microphones were intended to capture ambient sounds during practice rather than private conversations between players and coaches. Following the incident, the WTA confirmed that practice sessions would continue to be livestreamed without audio.

The hot microphones captured several other critical remarks from Pegula, who appeared particularly frustrated with Andreeva’s on-court behavior.

“If I was a coach and my girl, you just played four great games, and you’re up four-zero, and you’re mad at me, hitting balls at me, I would be like, first of all, [that’s] disrespectful to the other person,” Pegula said. “You’re up four-zero, shut the fuck up. But she just can’t.”

Pegula also brought up fellow American Coco Gauff, suggesting that Andreeva could reach an even higher level if she adopted Gauff’s mindset. “If she had Coco’s mentality, she’d be better than Coco,” Pegula said.

Pegula and Andreeva have never faced each other in a singles match, but that could change at the 2026 WTA Finals. Although the two players have been drawn into separate groups, they could meet in the semifinals or final if both advance from the round-robin stage. (source: Yahoo)

Singles draw

Group 1

[1] Elena Rybakina
[4] Coco Gauff
[5] Jessica Pegula
[8] Linda Noskova

Group 2

[2] Aryna Sabalenka
[3] Mirra Andreeva
[6] Elina Svitolina
[7] Karolina Muchova

Doubles draw

Group 1

[1] Gabriela Dabrowski & Luisa Stefani
[3] Guo Hanyu & Kristina Mladenovic
[5] Hsieh Su-Wei & Jelena Ostapenko
[7] Elise Mertens & Zhang Shuai

Group 2

[2] Taylor Townsend & Katerina Siniakova
[4] Cristina Bucsa & Nicole Melichar-Martinez
[6] Ellen Perez & Demi Schuurs
[8] Sara Errani & Jasmine Paolini

Play at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden begins on Sunday, November 8, at 12 p.m. PST.

The WTA and TikTok have recently announced a global content partnership aimed at expanding the reach of women’s tennis through player-led storytelling, creator content and new digital experiences. As part of the collaboration, the WTA Finals draw ceremony was livestreamed on TikTok for the first time. The partnership builds on growing engagement with the sport on the platform: the WTA has surpassed one million TikTok followers, while its content has generated more than 250 million combined video views and engagements year to date, up 41% year-on-year. Overall, posts featuring the #WTA hashtag have increased by more than 50% over the past year.

Sealing the victory with an ace, Rybakina defeated Yulia Putintseva 6–2 6–3 in the second round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo to become the 17th player in WTA history to secure the year-end No. 1 singles ranking.

This latest milestone adds to Rybakina’s outstanding 2026 season. She opened the year by capturing the Australian Open title to claim her second Grand Slam singles crown, before securing her third major title at the US Open in September. Her triumph in New York also propelled her to world No. 1 in the PIF WTA Rankings for the first time in her career. Beyond her Grand Slam success, Rybakina also claimed the WTA 500 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix title in Stuttgart and successfully defended her crown at the WTA 500 Ningbo Open, bringing her career singles title tally to 15.

“I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved this season and the consistency I’ve shown throughout the year,” the 27-year-old Rybakina commented on her latest milestone.

Rybakina will now continue her campaign in Tokyo, where she is set to face Leylah Fernandez in the quarterfinals. Following the tournament in Japan, she will turn her attention to the 2026 FAGE WTA Finals, where she will aim to defend the title she won in Riyadh in 2025.

The couple made their relationship public during the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros. They announced their engagement in June 2026, and reports that they were expecting their first child emerged just days later.

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Danilovic, 25, has not competed on the WTA Tour since February, when she played at the Transylvania Open in Romania. Her extended absence has seen her ranking drop to No. 390 in the world. In July last year she was at a career-high ranking of No. 32. (source: Hype TV)

The Kazakhstani saved all four break points she faced and sealed victory with a forehand winner on her first match point. The triumph marks her fourth title of the season, following wins at the Australian Open, Stuttgart and US Open, and the 15th of her career.

After receiving a first-round bye, Rybakina defeated Polina Kudermetova (via retirement), Katarzyna Kawa and No. 6 seed Diana Shnaider to reach the WTA 500 final, where she defeated Fernandez. The 27-year-old improved her Ningbo Open record to 8-0, having defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova in last year’s final.

Rybakina leads the tour with 53 match wins this season, ahead of Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula, who have 50 each.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka and the American rapper went public with their relationship in September 2019, when the Japanese tennis star shared a photo of them embracing against the backdrop of Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood sign. In July 2023, they welcomed their baby girl.

After months of noticeable lack of joint appearances and social media posts, speculation about a possible split began to mount. In early January 2025, Osaka confirmed that she and Cordae had separated, while making it clear that there was no animosity between them.

“No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad. Honestly really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is my biggest blessing and I was able to grow a lot from our experiences together,” Osaka wrote at the time.

Now, Cordae appears to be offering his perspective on the breakup through “Helpless,” a collaboration with Anderson .Paak. The lyrics also appear to reveal that Cordae is expecting his second child, although he does not identify the mother.

“I’m finna have my second child, although we still ain’t said our vows / Was never my intention to raise my daughter in separate homes / Gave your mom my all, but the love she had for me dead and gone / Although you ain’t a man if you can’t admit it when you was wrong / Can’t see it coming down my eyes, so do it through this song,” Cordae raps.

“Helpless” appears on Heavy Is the Crown, the 11-track collaborative album by Cordae and Anderson .Paak, released on Friday, October 23.

Osaka, meanwhile, has moved on. The former world No. 1 first publicly spoke about her new boyfriend this summer while competing at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C. Asked about the special connection she felt with the city, Osaka appeared slightly unsure of how to describe her relationship before opening up about it.

“I think, obviously, I don’t know if I’m supposed to say partner or my boyfriend. His family’s from here. He grew up here a little bit,” she said. (via Sportskeeda)

 

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After fans were left shocked by reports that Svitolina had informed Monfils over the phone of her decision to end their five-year marriage, citing how the devastating war in her native Ukraine had profoundly changed her outlook on life and left her unhappy in the marriage, many began questioning her true reasons for seeking a divorce. Monfils came to her defense in a statement released on Friday:

“Even though she did not owe anyone an explanation, Elina chose to speak vulnerably and truthfully about her reasons for this decision. She did so in the best way she knew how. Many decided that her explanation wasn’t perfect enough, and Elina has now faced a kind of criticism that I have found unkind at best, and venomous at worst.”

He continued: “While I am deeply grateful that the public feels so invested in my happiness, I have found the lack of grace and kindness shown towards Elina upsetting. While some may not understand her reasons, or agree with them, please remember that there is so much more that happens in a relationship behind the curtain that cannot be explained in a post.”

That’s exactly what Svitolina emphasized in her follow-up post, that the decision was never driven by a single factor, but her attempt to offer further clarification only left fans with more questions about the real reasons behind the split.

Like Svitolina, Monfils pointed out that they would remain a loving family for their four-year-old daughter, Skai, while continuing to support each other and maintain the deep respect and affection they share: “A separation is a minefield of messy, complicated feelings that Elina and I are both trying our best to navigate, and we are doing so with the great respect and love that we still, and will always, hold for each other.”

While Monfils brought his tennis career to an earlier-than-planned end amid the personal drama, Svitolina has withdrawn from next week’s Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo but is still expected to compete at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, which begin on November 8.

From the outside, Svitolina and Monfils seemed deeply in love and completely stable. That picture shattered on Monday when Svitolina announced their separation. Rumors quickly spread about how it happened, with reports suggesting she broke the news over the phone. At the time, Svitolina was playing tournaments in China, while Monfils was thousands of miles away in Dubai, caring for their four-year-old daughter, Skai.

The disruption in their upcoming schedules proves this wasn’t a planned decision. Weeks before the official announcement, Monfils abruptly removed his name from the active players list, bringing a sudden end to his legendary tennis career. He skipped his highly anticipated farewell tournaments in Lyon and the Paris Masters. Now, with Svitolina bailing on her own WTA 500 event in Tokyo, it is clear that the breakup was a sudden shock rather than a gradual choice.

In her first public comments, Svitolina pointed to the deep emotional toll of the war in her native Ukraine. The ongoing trauma, she explained, changed her completely and strained her marriage. But as public rumors spun out of control, she clarified that a divorce is never caused by just one thing. She admitted she simply reached a point where she “didn’t want to keep living a life where I wasn’t truly happy.” Still, she has continuously praised Monfils for his incredible understanding and support.

Were they just hiding their problems well, or did something unexpected ruin their marriage overnight? Fans have recently re-shared a clip of Svitolina giving an emotional tribute to Monfils’ career, fighting back tears as she talked about his retirement. Tragically, the immediate fallout of their breakup means Monfils didn’t get the grand farewell he earned.

Before things fell apart, Svitolina spoke of his final year on tour with a hopefulness that now feels heartbreaking:

“It’s going to be very fun and enjoyable last year for you and for us as a family and for all the fans. It’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be sad, of course. It’s going to be not easy for me personally. Even now I’m tearing up. I’m very happy to be by your side.”

Svitolina is now expected to return to the court for the season-ending WTA Finals, which kick off on November 8 in Indian Wells. This will be her grand return to the elite year-end tournament, having successfully qualified for the first time since 2019.

French sports newspaper L’Équipe reports that Monfils was in Dubai with their daughter after Svitolina left for a series of tournaments in China at the end of September. It was during this period that she reportedly informed him of her decision over the phone.

According to L’Équipe journalist Franck Ramella, Monfils had planned to play in front of his home fans in Lyon and Paris before bringing his professional tennis career to an end. However, the news of his relationship ending prompted an abrupt change of plans. He subsequently withdrew from the anti-doping testing pool, effectively bringing his career to a premature conclusion and abandoning his planned farewell appearances.

“When Monfils learned the news, it hit him like a ton of bricks, and tennis, which he had often experienced as a kind of gentle madness, lost all meaning,” Ramella wrote. “He was no longer able to play.”

Svitolina has also addressed the circumstances surrounding her husband’s retirement in a recent statement, acknowledging that their relationship difficulties played a role in his decision to end his career earlier than expected. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian star is enjoying a strong season on the court, having qualified for the WTA Finals for the first time since 2019.

As you know, Svitolina has offered few clear explanations for the divorce, vaguely attributing the strain in her marriage to the profound emotional impact of the ongoing war in her homeland, which she says has changed her as a person.

The separation is particularly striking given the couple’s public displays of affection just a few months ago.

Gael Monfils to Svitolina at the French Open 5 months ago;

“We’ve been together for 8 beautiful years. I’m not talking about Elina Svitolina the player; I’m talking about the woman, the real woman, my wife. She’s always known how to support me as a man.” https://t.co/xVaHOqzNVg

— Pavvy G (@pavyg) October 19, 2026

At Roland Garros, Monfils delivered an emotional on-court tribute to his wife, leaving Svitolina visibly moved. His words painted a picture of a couple whose bond remained strong after eight years together.

“We’ve been together for eight beautiful years. I’m not talking about Elina Svitolina the player; I’m talking about the woman, the real woman, my wife. She’s always known how to support me as a man,” Monfils said.

 

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Moreover, when discussing his plans for life after tennis, Monfils made it clear that he would take up an office job in wealth management at a Swiss company. While he was confident about his future in the financial sector, he acknowledged that he would remain connected to tennis through his wife, who continues to compete on the WTA Tour.

Svitolina and Monfils tied the knot in the summer of 2021 after beginning their relationship in late 2018 and going public with their romance in 2019. The couple welcomed their daughter in October 2022. Two days ago, Svitolina publicly announced her decision to end their marriage.

Public reaction has largely been sympathetic toward Monfils, with many commenters arguing that Svitolina’s attempts to explain the reasons behind the divorce are only making her look worse. Others have speculated that the Ukrainian star may already have a new partner and could introduce him publicly in the near future, although no evidence has emerged to substantiate those claims.

The Czech star has enjoyed an outstanding 2026 campaign, winning two titles at the WTA 1000 Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha and the WTA 500 Bad Homburg Open. She also reached the finals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and Wimbledon, showcasing her consistency across hard, grass and clay courts.

Notably, six of the eight finalists hail from Slavic countries. Muchova will join Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Linda Noskova, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Elina Svitolina at the season-ending championships. This marks her second qualification for the WTA Finals, having withdrawn from the 2023 edition due to injury.

In doubles, Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko, alongside Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs, have also confirmed their places in the tournament. Hsieh and Ostapenko have reached two finals this season, winning the Brisbane International, while Perez and Schuurs have demonstrated consistent form with several deep runs throughout the year. One doubles qualification spot remains available.

Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, and Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion, headline the U.S. squad. Li receives her first Billie Jean King Cup nomination, while Townsend and Melichar-Martinez bolster the team’s doubles lineup. The U.S. will be captained by Lindsay Davenport, a former world No. 1 and International Tennis Hall of Famer.

Hungary has nominated Anna Bondar, Dalma Galfi, Amarissa Toth, Fanny Stollar and Adrienn Nagy, with Kornel Bardoczky serving as captain.

The tie will feature five matches across two days, with two singles matches on Saturday and a doubles match followed by up to two singles matches on Sunday. The first team to win three matches will claim victory and secure a place in the 2027 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers. Play begins at 1:30 p.m. ET on both days, with Tennis Channel broadcasting the action in the United States.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, with two-day packages priced at $50 and single-day tickets at $35. The U.S. is undefeated in four Billie Jean King Cup ties hosted in Delray Beach, most recently sweeping Austria in 2023.

Captains may make up to three roster changes by November 20.