Another big name has withdrawn from the Wuhan Open. Linda Noskova has pulled out of the WTA 1000 tournament due to a left calf injury, becoming the latest top-10 player to miss the event. The Czech's withdrawal comes shortly after she secured qualification for her first WTA Finals appearance, with the season-ending tournament now her next scheduled event as she focuses on recovering.
The world No. 6 most recently competed at the China Open in Beijing, where she lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the fourth round. Noskova has enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning titles at Wimbledon and Berlin and establishing herself among the leading players on tour. However, her withdrawal brings her Asian swing to an early end and leaves her with no further tournaments scheduled before the WTA Finals.
Noskova is not currently entered in any other event before the season-ending championships, which will be held at Indian Wells from November 8 to 15. Having secured her place alongside Mirra Andreeva, she can now prioritise her recovery rather than risk aggravating the calf injury in Wuhan.
Her absence is another setback for Wuhan, which has already lost several leading players. With the WTA Finals qualification race approaching its conclusion, the tournament will also provide a crucial opportunity for those still competing for the final two places. Noskova, meanwhile, faces a different challenge: recovering in time to make her debut at the season-ending championships.
Noskova joins growing list of Wuhan withdrawals
Noskova withdrew before the release of the first order of play, prompting changes to the singles draw. Belinda Bencic, the next available seeded player, takes Noskova's place and receives a bye into the second round. Anna Kalinskaya moves into Bencic's original position and will face Zhang Shuai, while a lucky loser will replace Kalinskaya in the draw.
Noskova joins a growing list of absentees that includes world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova. Rybakina withdrew due to a foot injury, while Gauff cited fatigue. The withdrawals have reshaped the field and created additional opportunities for the players who remain in contention for the title.
Coco Gauff holding the 2025 Wuhan Open trophy
The decision also has implications for Noskova's ranking. She reached the China Open final in 2025 before making the round of 16 in Wuhan, leaving her with approximately 770 ranking points to defend across the two WTA 1000 events. This year, she earned 120 points in Beijing and will have no opportunity to add to that total in Wuhan.
As a result, Noskova is set to drop to No. 8 in the WTA rankings in Monday's update, with the possibility of losing further ground after the Wuhan tournament. She currently sits eighth in the Race to the WTA Finals, making her the lowest-ranked player in the qualifying positions. Her place at the season-ending event is already secured, however, following her Grand Slam triumph.
WTA Finals race: Two places remain open
Six players have already qualified for the WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Noskova. That leaves just two places to be decided, making Wuhan a crucial tournament for those still in contention.
Karolina Muchova and Elina Svitolina currently occupy qualifying positions in the Race, while Iga Swiatek and Marta Kostyuk remain in contention. Their results in Wuhan could prove decisive, as the final WTA 1000 tournament of the regular season offers one last major opportunity to strengthen their standings or close the gap on their rivals.
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Muchova and Svitolina will be looking to protect their positions, while Swiatek and Kostyuk need a strong run to improve their chances. With the remaining places still undecided, a deep run in Wuhan could change the picture before the final standings are settled.
For Noskova, the calculation is different. Having already secured her place, she can focus entirely on recovering from her calf injury ahead of her WTA Finals debut. Her withdrawal removes another top player from the Wuhan field, while the remaining contenders face a final opportunity to join the season-ending event.
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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