Elina Svitolina set for WTA Finals amid tensions with Sabalenka, Andreeva
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 17, 2026, 4:11 PM
Last updated Oct 17, 2026
Elina Svitolina has qualified for the 2026 WTA Finals in Indian Wells, marking her return to the event since the Russian-Ukrainian war began. Svitolina, who does not shake hands with Belarusian and Russian players, will face potential awkwardness as both Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva have also qualified. The WTA will likely separate Svitolina from them for official photos. The finals are scheduled for November 8-16, 2026, and could see Svitolina’s compatriot Marta Kostyuk also participating.
- •Elina Svitolina qualified for the 2026 WTA Finals in Indian Wells.
- •Svitolina has not participated since 2022 due to the war.
- •Tensions arise due to Svitolina's policies with Russian and Belarusian players.
- •Sabalenka and Andreeva have also qualified for the finals.
- •WTA Finals will take place from November 8-16, 2026.
- 4:11 PMYahoo Sports — How will WTA Finals handle tension between Elina Svitolina & Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva?
"The Ukrainian Svitolina does not interact with Belarusian and Russian players.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- ATP•Oct 17, 2026, 2:15 PMCoco Gauff and Jessica Pegula join elite field for WTA Finals
ATP•Oct 17, 2026, 1:50 PMSonay Kartal makes history by reaching biggest final of her career in Wuhan
ATP•Oct 17, 2026, 1:50 PMDavidovich Fokina upsets future No. 1 Zverev, faces Jodar for Shanghai title
ATP•Oct 17, 2026, 12:32 PMCoco Gauff using pole dancing as secret weapon for tennis
ATP•Oct 17, 2026, 12:30 PMDaniil Medvedev threatens to ‘retire’ from Shanghai semi-final after line call controversy
ATP•Oct 17, 2026, 9:00 AMHow Novak Djokovic reacted after defeating Roger Federer at the Basel Open in his tournament debut in 2009
