IGA SWIATEK WITHDRAWS FROM NINGBO OPEN

Iga Swiatek withdrew from the Ningbo Open in China on 20 October, ending her chance to qualify directly for the WTA Finals. The six-time Grand Slam champion said a problem with her left thigh had continued for several weeks. “I’ve been experiencing an ongoing problem with my left thigh over the past weeks and I feel that giving myself the time to rest and recover is the right decision,” she said. Swiatek announced the decision in a statement published by the Ningbo Open. She needed to reach at least the quarter-finals in Ningbo to challenge Karolina Muchova for the last direct qualifying place.

The injury affected Swiatek during her Wuhan Open semi-final against fellow Pole Maja Chwalinska last week. Chwalinska won the match 7-5, 6-1. Swiatek has played at every WTA Finals since 2021 and won the event in 2023. She won the Canadian Open in August, her only tournament title of 2026. She did not advance beyond the quarter-finals at any of this season’s four Grand Slam tournaments.

Muchova is not playing the WTA 500 event in Ningbo, but Marta Kostyuk can still take the final direct qualifying place. The Ukrainian must make up 815 points across Ningbo and next week’s Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo to pass Muchova. The WTA Finals will run from 8 to 15 November in Indian Wells, California. Swiatek could still attend as one of two alternates. Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Linda Noskova, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Elina Svitolina have already qualified.