Karolina Muchova withdraws from Cincinnati after surgery, leaving no hard-court preparation before US Open
WTASunday, 09 August 2026 at 08:30
Karolina Muchova has officially withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open after undergoing surgery shortly after her runner-up finish at Wimbledon, adding another setback to her preparations for the US Open. The Czech star had been expected to use the WTA 1000 event as her return to competition, but her recovery has taken longer than initially hoped.
Muchova enjoyed one of the best Grand Slam runs of her career at the All England Club, reaching her second major final before falling to fellow Czech Linda Noskova. Just a few days later, she revealed that she had undergone an unspecified procedure that would keep her away from the Tour for several weeks.
“I had to undergo a small surgery that will keep me off the court for a few weeks. Everything went well, and I’m already working on my recovery. Thank you for all your messages and support. I’ll be back soon,” Muchova announced on Instagram.
The 29-year-old later provided a clearer timeline during a meeting with Czech president Petr Pavel, explaining that the surgery had been part of her plans and that she expected to return in time for the US Open. However, her withdrawals from both Toronto and Cincinnati mean she will arrive in New York without a competitive match on hard courts since Wimbledon.
Muchova faces limited US Open preparation
Muchova is still expected to play the US Open, which begins on August 30, but her preparation will now be considerably shorter than initially anticipated. She confirmed that she would spend three or four weeks away from competition following the procedure before attempting to return.
“The surgery I had was part of my plans. Everything went well. Now I just need to recover, and I won't play for three or four weeks. But I should be ready for the US Open,” Muchova said while meeting the Czech president.
That timeline leaves little room for competitive preparation before the final Grand Slam of the season. Muchova has nevertheless developed a strong connection with Flushing Meadows, reaching the semifinals in 2023 and 2024 before making the quarterfinals last year. She owns a 14-3 record across her last three appearances at the tournament.
Muchova also has a strong history in Cincinnati, reaching the final in 2023 before losing to Coco Gauff. However, her withdrawal this year will not cost her a significant number of ranking points, as she only reached the third round at the tournament in 2025.
The bigger concern will come at the US Open, where Muchova reached the quarterfinals last year. With those points to defend, the Czech will need another strong run in Flushing Meadows to avoid dropping further in the rankings.
Her absence is part of a growing list of withdrawals from next week's WTA 1000 event. Victoria Mboko and Jasmine Paolini have also been confirmed out, meaning three top-20 players will miss Cincinnati, while Emma Raducanu, Hailey Baptiste and Paula Badosa are among other notable absences.
The men's event has also lost several major names, with Carlos Alcaraz continuing his recovery from a wrist injury and Alexander Bublik also opting out. For Muchova, however, the priority remains completing her recovery and arriving in New York healthy enough to build on another promising Grand Slam campaign.
Entry List Update - WTA 1000 Cincinnati 🇺🇸
— SpazioTennis (@SpazioTennis) August 8, 2026
OUT: Muchova
IN: Waltert pic.twitter.com/6vXzVeiKIq
Karolína Muchova — 2025 North American Hard-Court swing
| Tournament | Round | Opponent | Opp. ranking | Score |
| Montreal | R64 | Antonia Ružić | 94 | 7-5, 7-5 |
| Montreal | R32 | Belinda Bencic | 20 | 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-3 |
| Montreal | R16 | Madison Keys | 8 | 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 |
| Cincinnati | R64 | Caroline Garcia | 200 | 7-6(3), 7-6(0) |
| Cincinnati | R32 | Varvara Gracheva | 103 | 2-6, 4-6 |
| US Open | R128 | Venus Williams | 602 | 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 |
| US Open | R64 | Sorana Cîrstea | 71 | 7-6(0), 6-7(3), 6-4 |
| US Open | R32 | Linda Nosková | 32 | 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2 |
| US Open | R16 | Marta Kostyuk | 28 | 6-3, 6-7(0), 6-3 |
| US Open | QF | Naomi Osaka | 24 | 4-6, 6-7(3) |
Best result: US Open quarterfinal.
Record across the swing: 8–2.
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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