Here’s what the WTA Finals rules say about replacement players now that Elina Svitolina has pulled out of the Tokyo event.
Elina Svitolina has decided to skip next week’s WTA 500 tournament in Tokyo, marking the second event in a row she will miss. The Ukrainian player has been keeping a low profile since her separation, first pulling out of this week’s WTA event in Ningbo, China, and then being taken off the entry list for the Tokyo tournament, which takes place from October 26 to November 1.
Svitolina has earned her spot at the WTA Finals for the first time since she was runner-up in 2019. She already played in the required 500-level tournaments in 2026, so she was supposed to compete in Tokyo. But if she misses more events, it could open the door for another player to take her place at the Finals—especially if someone else withdraws.
The WTA has a list of official alternates in case a player pulls out of the Finals. Usually, the next highest-ranked player gets the spot, but things get a bit tricky here. The next player in line is Iga Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner, who didn’t win a Grand Slam this season for the first time since 2021 and missed the WTA Finals for the first time in seven years. However, Swiatek recently ended her 2026 season early because of a thigh injury.
With Swiatek possibly not available, Svitolina’s fellow Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, ranked No. 10, would be next. Unfortunately, she also seems to be dealing with an injury after retiring from her match at the Ningbo Open due to a wrist problem.
So, if Svitolina withdraws, her spot at the WTA Finals could go to the world No. 11 player, Iva Jovic from the U.S. Jovic is close to securing the alternate spot after beating Jasmine Paolini to reach the quarter-finals in Ningbo.
On Monday, Svitolina announced that her marriage with former tennis star Gael Monfils has ended. She said the war in Ukraine has affected her deeply on an emotional level. The couple, who married in 2021, have a four-year-old daughter and recently teamed up to reach the US Open Mixed Doubles semi-finals.
In an Instagram post, Svitolina shared, “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to share. Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me, but what I rarely talk about is how the war has hurt me inside. Over time, I realized I needed to find myself again, and I couldn’t do that while staying in our marriage. It’s the toughest truth I’ve ever faced and had to tell the person I love. Gael listened and showed strength and grace that I’ll never forget.”
She added, “Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family isn’t.”