World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the Korea Open, becoming the latest high-profile player to pull out of the only WTA tournament in South Korea. This decision comes after the Polish star cited fatigue and ongoing recovery issues following the US Open.
Swiatek’s Withdrawal and Future Plans
The Korea Open organizers announced on Friday that Swiatek would not be participating in this year’s tournament. They stated that the five-time Grand Slam champion had informed them that her body had not fully recovered from the strenuous schedule of the US Open, which led to her decision to adjust her plans. The organizers added that Swiatek has committed to participating in the event next year.
Swiatek’s withdrawal is part of a broader trend, as she is among five current or former top-ten players who have pulled out of the Korea Open. Reigning champion Jessica Pegula ranked third in the world, will miss the event due to a rib injury. Pegula, who defeated Swiatek in the US Open quarterfinals but lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the final, has familial ties to Korea, adding a personal dimension to her absence.
Other Notable Withdrawals and Tournament Outlook
In addition to Swiatek and Pegula, several other top players have withdrawn. Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and currently ranked fourth, is absent due to a back injury. Emma Navarro, who reached the US Open semifinals and is ranked eighth in the world, has also altered her schedule. Former world No. 1 and 2014 Korea Open champion Karolina Pliskova is dealing with a foot injury.
Despite these withdrawals, the tournament will see notable players like Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, and Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open winner, who have both entered the main draw. Raducanu, who was a fan favorite at the 2022 Korea Open and reached the semifinals, will be looking to build on her strong performance from last year.
The Korea Open will kick off with qualifying rounds on Saturday at the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center, with the main draw starting on Monday. The singles and doubles finals are scheduled for September 22. The tournament has elevated from a WTA 250 event to a WTA 500, offering 500 ranking points to the champions and increasing the prize pool from approximately $260,000 to $1 million.
