The WTA Thailand Open, set for its second edition in 2024, faces a significant challenge as six players have withdrawn from the tournament. This event returns after a February edition where Diana Shnaider claimed her first-ever title.
Top seeds for the September competition included Dayana Yastremska, a former Australian Open semifinalist, and Katerina Siniakova, a nine-time Grand Slam doubles champion. However, the withdrawal of six key players has led to several changes in the tournament’s draw.
Key Players Withdraw from the Thailand Open
Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, is the most notable player to step down. Kenin has had a difficult season, with her ranking dropping significantly. Despite this, she showed signs of a resurgence at the US Open by beating 2021 champion Emma Raducanu.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t maintain that momentum. She lost to this year’s runner-up, Jessica Pegula, in a tough match. There has been no official explanation for Kenin’s decision to skip the Thailand Open.
Martina Trevisan, another major player, has also chosen not to compete. The 2022 French Open semifinalist recently reached the quarterfinals at the Guadalajara Open. Likely, she is taking a short break ahead of the China Open in Beijing, which kicks off the Asian swing.
China’s Wang Yafan is another high-profile player to pull out. Wang recently reached the fourth round of the US Open, a career-best Grand Slam performance. With home tournaments in Beijing and Wuhan approaching, Wang may have opted to rest and prepare for these key events. Other players who have withdrawn include Jaqueline Cristian, Chloe Paquet, and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
