Tennis. WTA – Beijing – Iga Swiatek forfeits, her number 1 place in danger…
The tile. Iga Swiatek, title holder in Beijing, will miss the 2024 edition of the Chinese WTA 1000. In a press release shared by the WTA, the Pole explains that she will not participate in the Beijing tournament “for personal reasons”. A package which could be very important in the race for the place of world No. 1, coveted by the dangerous Aryna Sabalenka.
In 2023, Iga Swiatek moved closer to Aryna Sabalenka, then world No. 1, in the WTA rankings thanks to her coronation in China. This year, the opposite scenario could well happen. The Pole, who will miss the 2024 edition of the Chinese tournament (September 25 – October 6) “for personal reasons”, puts her No. 1 place in the race back into play – with her withdrawal. World first this week (10,885 points) ahead of the Belarusian (8716 points), Iga Swiatek would lose the head of the race ranking in the event of Aryna Sabalenka’s victory in China. An important indication, which could lead to a new change of world number 1. For personal reasons, I am forced to withdraw from the @ChinaOpen in Beijing”, we can read in a press release from Iga Swiatek, published on the social networks of the WTA. “I am very sorry because I had a Amazing time playing and winning this tournament last year and I was really looking forward to going back. I know the fans will experience a great tennis moment there, and I’m sorry I won’t be able to be a part of it this time,” Iga Swiatek said in a statement. As a reminder, the 23-year-old has not won a single title since Roland-Garros, and remains on two major disappointments (bronze medalist at the Olympic Games, and only quarter-finalist at the US Open).