The World Tennis League is set to begin its fifth year of action on December 17 in India.
UAE served it, Bengaluru returns it. 🙌🏻
This December, the World Tennis League comes to India with top-tier athletes and high-voltage action – all unfolding in the heart of Bengaluru.
📍SM Krishna Tennis Stadium
📅 December 17-20, 2025#wtl #season #bengaluru pic.twitter.com/x83Ws3SlEI— World Tennis League (@TennisWorl76726) November 18, 2025
Recent player withdrawals have raised questions about the health of Elena Rybakina and Arthur Fils.
We’ve made changes to this season’s player lineup.
Denis Shapovalov joins the draw in place of Arthur Fils, while Elina Svitolina steps in for Elena Rybakina, as both of them take some time to recover before returning to the court.
We’re excited for an action-packed season 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/F8ReM9PU5d
— World Tennis League (@TennisWorl76726) November 22, 2025
Elena Rybakina Is Replaced By Elina Svitolina
Rybakina is fresh off of her amazing fall Asian swing that culminated with a maiden WTA Finals win.
She played a lot of tennis since the US Open and was playing until the bitter end to earn her WTA Finals spot.
Rybakina mentioned visiting doctors after her win so hopefully this is more precautionary than anything.
She has been spotted on the practice court but was a somewhat regular participant in World Tennis League since its 2022 inception, missing only 2023 prior to 2026.
Back to training.
Elena Rybakina yesterday at Dubai.#WTA
📸cft_hercules pic.twitter.com/yfWAbbeA9l— Sebastien G. (@sebsharfam2) November 22, 2025
Arthur Fils Is Replaced By Dennis Shapovalov
Arthur Fils’ withdraw is more concerning.
He had a great spring but retired from the French Open with a back issue.
Fils returned to play the Canadian Open in late July, but we have not seen him on the tennis court since.
Back injuries are tricky as both Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas have proven.
They can be chronic, painful, and impossible to manage while training.
There have been worrisome rumors that Fils, 21, came back too quickly last year before his injury could heal properly which resulted in setbacks.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?
4h25 minutes of entertainment from Arthur Fils 💪#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/bzNdB5LGJh
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2025
He is training at the Rafael Nadal Academy this offseason which is encouraging.
Arthur Fils in the Rafanadal academy for the off season🔜🔜 pic.twitter.com/FyXHB9ogk2
— Arthur Fils Updates (@filsupdates) November 20, 2025
Fils is so fun to watch, and the way he can liven the crowd (like his compatriot Gael Monfils) makes him special.
