Iga Świątek has made a surprising decision to withdraw from the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing, where she was set to defend her 2023 title.
The World No. 1 cited personal reasons for pulling out, expressing her regret in a statement shared on the WTA’s “X” account, saying, “I’m very sorry as I had an amazing time playing and winning this tournament last year… 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… Świątek’s dominant performance in Beijing last year saw her defeat Russia’s Ludmilla Samsonova 6-2, 6-2 in the final, making her the second Polish player to win in the Chinese capital after Agnieszka Radwańska. Despite her absence, Polish players Magdalena Fręch and Magda Linette will compete in the tournament, with Aryna Sabalenka now the top seed.
As the season wraps up, Świątek is still slated for potential appearances in Wuhan, China, and the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, where she will defend her 2023 title.
