This story was originally published by Dead Spin
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek withdrew from the China Open and won’t defend her title.
“Due to personal matters, I’m forced to withdraw from the China Open in Beijing,” she said. “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.”
Play begins in Beijing on Wednesday.
Last year, Swiatek beat Russian Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 6-2 in the final of the China Open.
Swiatek, of Poland, won five of her 22 career WTA titles this year but hasn’t competed since she lost to Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open on Sept. 4. She pulled out of this week’s Korea Open, citing fatigue.
Minus Swiatek, U.S. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is the No. 1 seed in Beijing.
–Field Level Media
