Anna Kalinskaya suffers another setback after Beijing retirement as two more withdrawals confirmed
WTA
Anna Kalinskaya has withdrawn from the WTA 500 tournaments in Ningbo and Tokyo, extending a difficult period for the Russian following health problems that forced her to retire from the China Open. The world No. 21 had already pulled out of the Wuhan Open, and her latest withdrawals leave her with further uncertainty as the 2026 season approaches its final weeks.
Kalinskaya's most recent appearance came at the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, where she faced China's Zheng Qinwen in the second round. The Russian was unable to finish the match, retiring while trailing 0-3 in the deciding set after splitting the opening two sets. She had taken the first set in a tiebreak before Zheng levelled the contest and moved ahead in the third.
The withdrawals mean Kalinskaya will miss two consecutive WTA 500 events scheduled for late October. Ningbo is due to take place from October 19 to 25, followed by the tournament in Tokyo from October 26 to November 1. Neither event will provide the Russian with an opportunity to return to competition after her recent health setback.
Her absence from both tournaments is another setback for Kalinskaya, who had reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros earlier this season. That run remains her best Grand Slam result of 2026, but her late-season schedule has now been disrupted by the health problems that first emerged in Beijing.
Kalinskaya unable to finish Zheng match in Beijing
Kalinskaya's withdrawal from Ningbo and Tokyo follows a difficult end to her campaign in Beijing. She faced Zheng Qinwen in the second round of the China Open and won a tight opening set, taking the tiebreak 7-4. However, Zheng responded by winning the second set 6-4, forcing a decider in which Kalinskaya was unable to continue.
The Russian retired with the score at 7-6(4), 4-6, 0-3, citing health problems. The result ended her participation in the WTA 1000 tournament, and she subsequently withdrew from the Wuhan Open. Her latest decisions mean she will also miss two opportunities to compete during the Asian swing's closing stages.
Kalinskaya's withdrawal from Wuhan had already raised questions about when she might return to the court. The subsequent omissions from the entry lists for Ningbo and Tokyo suggest she will not be back in action at either event, although no further details about her condition have been provided in the information released so far.
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The Ningbo Open is scheduled to run from October 19 to 25, with the Tokyo tournament following from October 26 to November 1. Both are WTA 500 events, making them significant opportunities for players seeking ranking points and match practice before the end of the season.
For Kalinskaya, however, the priority will be addressing the health problems that have interrupted her recent campaign. Her quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros was a notable highlight in 2026, but the Russian now faces an uncertain end to the year after withdrawing from three consecutive tournaments following her retirement in Beijing.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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