Swiatek withdraws from Beijing due to ‘personal matters’
The Pole won the title last year, beating Liudmila Samsonova in the final
World No 1 Iga Swiatek will not return to Beijing to defend her WTA China Open title as the Polle announced her withdrawal from the tournament due to personal matters.
The WTA released a statement from the Pole on their social media handles to announce the withdrawal.
“Due to personal matters, I’m forced to withdraw from the China Open in Beijing. 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.”
The tournament begins on September 25.
Swiatek defeated Liudmila Samsonova to win the title last year and will drop 1,000 points from her rankings tally, enabling US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka to close in on the top spot.
The Pole has not played since losing in the quarter-finals of the US Open in early September.