Why Mirra Andreeva isn’t replacing Madison Keys at the WTA Finals after her withdrawal

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Madison Keys has withdrawn from the 2025 WTA Finals with a viral illness.

The Australian Open champion was eliminated from semifinal contention on Monday when she lost to Amanda Anisimova, falling to 0-2 in her group.

Withdrawing hours before her final group stage match with the already-qualified Elena Rybakina, many expected first alternate Mirra Andreeva to replace her.

However, it’s now been confirmed that it will be Andreeva’s fellow Russian, Ekaterina Alexandrova, the second alternate, taking Keys‘ place.

But why isn’t Andreeva making her WTA Finals singles debut against Rybakina?

Mirra Andreeva was not fit to play singles vs Elena Rybakina

The Russian number one chose not to sign up as a replacement for Keys, as she herself is not fit to play.

Andreeva has already played (and lost) two matches in Riyadh, competing in the doubles event alongside Diana Shnaider.

• 2025 WTA Finals GS – Mirra Andreeva/Diana Shnaider lost to Erin Routliffe/Gabriela Dabrowski (3-6, 6-7)
• 2025 WTA Finals GS – Mirra Andreeva/Diana Shnaider lost to Luisa Stefani/Timea Babos (5-7, 6-2, 7-10)

Having lost both of their matches, Andreeva and Shnaider sit fourth and last in their WTA Finals group.

Group Liezel Huber

Given she’s less than 100%, it remains unclear whether Andreeva will withdraw from her and Shnaider’s final group stage game as well.

Andreeva and Shnaider are scheduled to play Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend in their third round robin match on Thursday, November 6.

Ekaterina Alexandrova and Elena Rybakina’s head-to-head record

Keys and Andreeva’s loss is Alexandrova’s gain, as the world number 10 now has an opportunity to prove herself on the grandest of stages.

Making her WTA Finals debut aged 30, Alexandrova will play Rybakina for a sixth time on the WTA Tour.

• 2025 Ningbo Open F – Elena Rybakina defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova (3-6, 6-0, 6-2)
• 2024 Adelaide International QF – Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Elena Rybakina (6-3, 6-3)
• 2020 Italian Open R64 – Elena Rybakina defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova (6-0, 6-4)
• 2020 Cincinnati Open R64 – Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Elena Rybakina (7-5, 7-6)
• 2020 Shenzhen Open F – Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Elena Rybakina (6-2, 6-4)

Alexandrova leads the head-to-head 3-2, but lost their most recent encounter, falling to the Kazakh in the final of the Ningbo Open.

Only time will tell who will emerge victorious when they do battle in Riyadh, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.

Alexandrova and Rybakina will contest their WTA Finals group stage match on Wednesday, November 5.