China Open withdrawal blows: Two top-10 players along with reigning champion pull out of proceedings in Beijing

The China Open is the next huge tournament on the WTA calendar, but there is set to be a huge number of top names not featuring in the tournament. This includes the reigning champion Amanda Anisimova and the World No.3 seed Jessica Pegula in a huge blow for the tournament.

The WTA 1000 event will take place from September 28 - October 11 in the Chinese capital. Straight after, the Wuhan Open commences a day later with it a very busy but crucial time for the WTA talents who look to gain some valuable ranking points and even momentum heading into the final stages of the 2026 season.

Pegula has enjoyed a brilliant season, reaching two WTA 1000 finals. She won in Dubai and most recently lost to Coco Gauff in the final of the Cincinnati Open ahead of a run to the US Open semi-finals, losing once more to her arch-nemesis Aryna Sabalenka.

She did not come out of that tournament unscathed. The 32-year-old was supposed to be competing in the Singapore Tennis Open as the No.1 seed, but pulled out of the WTA 500 event to rest and recover, delaying the start to her Asian swing.

This will be delayed even further. A lot of points are on the line following her run to the semi-finals last year, losing a third-set tiebreak to runner-up Linda Noskova. She is also set to defend the points from the Wuhan Open final, in which she suffered a defeat to Gauff.

While her spot among the top players in the world is very safe, Anisimova could suffer a stark drop down the rankings. 1000 points will be taken off her tally after withdrawing from the China Open. She was brilliant in the campaign last year, continuing her exceptional 2025 season as she took down Noskova in the final.

2026 has posed a number of problems. Her form on court has dropped off while a persistent wrist injury has also been dealt with.

Her status in the top 20 would likely still be in tact, but it is another huge blow after reaching a career-high of third in the world at the start of the year.

The second top 10 player not set to participate is Marta Kostyuk. After losing in the quarter-finals of the Guadalajara Open, the Ukrainian withdrew from the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for her country, citing a wrist issue.

Her recovery will take longer than she would have hoped for, meaning her quest for glory in the Chinese capital being cancelled. It will be a huge blow for her WTA Finals aspirations, with the ground set to be lost in the race to Indian Wells.

Alexandra Eala misses the WTA 1000 tournament not through injury, but through different schedule plans. Despite the threats of fines and point deductions, she has committed to competing in the Asian Games, one of the top Asian names committing to playing for her country.

Sorana Cirstea will not play in another China Open after the Romanian confirmed that she would not feature. Victoria Mboko remains out with injury with her 2026 WTA campaign under threat. Madison Keys also misses out through injury after a torrid season, having most recently lost against Zheng Qinwen at the US Open despite leading 5-0 in the third set.

There still will be a number of top players featuring. World No.1 Elena Rybakina is set to return after her US Open triumph. Sabalenka looks for revenge as Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, Noskova, Elina Svitolina and Iga Swiatek all set to challenge for the title.