Iga Swiatek withdraws from China Open due to ‘personal matters’
Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the upcoming China Open, with the World No.1 electing not to defend her title due to ‘personal matters’.
Swiatek has not competed since losing in the US Open quarter-finals to Jessica Pegula, also pulling out of this week’s Korea Open after citing fatigue.
And now the 23-year-old is set to continue her absence after withdrawing from the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing next week.
“Due to personal matters, I’m forced to withdraw from the @ChinaOpen in Beijing. I’m very sorry as I had an amazing time playing and winning this tournament last year and was really looking forward to being back there,” Swiatek said in a statement released by the WTA.
“I know that the fans will experience great tennis there and I’m sorry I won’t be a part of it this time.”
Statement from @iga_swiatek: “Due to personal matters, I’m forced to withdraw from the @ChinaOpen in Beijing. I’m very sorry as I had an amazing time playing and winning this tournament last year and was really looking forward to being back there.
“I know that the fans will…
— wta (@WTA) September 20, 2024
Swiatek made her debut at the China Open last year, going onto claim the title after beating Liudmila Samsonova in the final.
The Pole will now drop 1000 points from her ranking, as the battle for the World No.1 spot with Aryna Sabalenka continues.
Swiatek currently sits 2,169 points ahead of Sabalenka, but after the China Open that gap will have reduced to a maximum of 1,284 points.
Sabalenka will now be the top seed at the China Open in Beijing next week, as she looks to take advantage of Swiatek’s absence.
Inside the baseline…
It is a shame that Iga Swiatek is not going to be in Beijing next week to defend her title, as the battle for World No.1 is more exciting if both players are there to fight for it. However, the main thing is that whatever is currently going on with Swiatek is resolved and she is given the support that she needs.
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