Karolina Muchova withdraws from 2025 Madrid Open due to illness

On a morning that has seen Carlos Alcaraz withdraw from the 2025 Madrid Open, Karolina Muchova who is the 12th seed in the women's draw is also out withdrawing due to illness in what is an unfortunate set of circumstances for the Czech star. This too on the morning she was due to play.

Muchova defends very little aside from Palermo and is in the same boat as Jessica Pegula as being a player in the top 15 who will likely benefit from big names dropping points. But given she is not playing that of course can't be the case.

"Unfortunately I have to withdraw from Madrid due to illness," she wrote on her Instagram story. "Not the update I was hoping to share but I'll be back on court soon. Thanks for all your support."

Muchova was due to play today so likely Yuliia Starodubtseva will get a bye through to face Liudmila Samsonova who defeated Caroline Dolehide 6-4, 6-4 to begin the day on Thursday.

The former Roland Garros finalist has not played since Miami where she lost to Elina Svitolina 2-6, 6-3, 2-6 in favour of the Ukrainian. She will presumably given it is an illness return in time for Rome and Roland Garros with also entry lists still to drop for Strasbourg for instance that could yet see her get another tournament in.

Thus far today as well as Samsonova winning, Donna Vekic is also the first winner of the day seeing off Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 6-3. Belinda Bencic is also a set up on Clara Tauson while matches for Emma Navarro vs Maya Joint, Anna Kalinskaya and Mirra Andreeva are set to begin shortly. With the men's draw only starting yesterday, it is mainly the top WTA names for now taking Centre Stage on Thursday at the Caja Magica but not Muchova.