Defending champion Swiatek withdraws from Beijing
World No.1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the upcoming China Open in Beijing, citing personal reasons, she and the tournament announced on Friday.
“Due to personal matters, I’m forced to withdraw from the China Open 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 experience great tennis there and I’m sorry I won’t be a part of it this time.”
The China Open begins on Sept. 25. Last year, Swiatek lost just one set in Beijing en route to winning her sixth career WTA 1000 title in her tournament debut. After ending 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff’s 16-match winning streak in the semifinals, Swiatek defeated Liudmila Samsonova in the final.
This year, Swiatek has won four of the previous eight WTA 1000 events played but last competed in New York. She also withdrew from this week’s Hana Bank Korea Open in Seoul citing a change of schedule.
While Swiatek, World No.9 Maria Sakkari (continuing shoulder injury) and World No.10 Danielle Collins (illness) have withdrawn from the main-draw field, the rest of the Top 10 in the PIF WTA Rankings are all expected to compete. In addition, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu has withdrawn from qualifying with a knee injury.
Reigning Australian Open and US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will be the top seed in Beijing, a tournament at which she has reached the quarterfinals twice in three career appearances, and US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula is expected to be seeded No.2.
Swiatek soars to sixth WTA 1000 title in Beijing
