- Iga Świątek withdraws from Korea Open citing fatigue.
- Jessica Pegula pulls out with a rib injury, along with Elena Rybakina and Emma Navarro.
- The WTA 500 event faces significant withdrawals ahead of its September 16 start.
World number one Iga Świątek has withdrawn from the Korea Open due to ongoing fatigue, adding to the list of elite players missing the tournament.
Other prominent players have withdrawn from the event, including Elena Rybakina, who is recovering from a back injury, and Emma Navarro, who pulled out due to a scheduling conflict.
Korea Open Hit by Major Withdrawals as Top Players Opt Out
The Korea Open, a WTA 500 event in Seoul, has been hit by multiple high-profile withdrawals ahead of its September 16-22 run. Leading the list is Poland’s Iga Świątek, the current world number one, who cited fatigue as the reason for her absence. Świątek has had a demanding season, having clinched the French Open and a bronze at the Paris Olympics, but fatigue forced her to withdraw from multiple tournaments, including the Canadian Open.
Jessica Pegula, who was runner-up at the U.S. Open, will also miss the event due to a rib injury. Pegula’s injury follows a season where she showed incredible resilience, reaching the U.S. Open final and defending her Korea Open title. Her absence further dampens the tournament’s star appeal, as she had been one of the favorites to win.
Adding to the list of missing stars is Elena Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion and current world number four. She is suffering from a back injury that has sidelined her from several recent competitions. U.S. Open semi-finalist Emma Navarro has also withdrawn from the event, citing a change in her schedule.
These withdrawals create an opportunity for lesser-known players to make a mark in the Korea Open. With top-ranked competitors stepping aside, the tournament might see new faces advancing deeper into the rounds, making for an unpredictable and exciting competition.
The Korea Open will proceed without some of its biggest stars, but the absence of these top players could inject fresh energy into the competition, allowing emerging talent to step into the spotlight and potentially claim their first major WTA title.
“Iga Świątek, the world number one, has withdrawn from the Korea Open due to fatigue, further extending her break from the tour following a demanding season.”
