Not only Swiatek and Collins: China Open faces major setback with eight top-40 withdrawals

Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins are the latest withdrawals confirmed for the China Open, which has now lost eight significant figures, including several Grand Slam champions. The extensive tour schedule and injuries to several stars have forced adjustments in the entry list.

A total of eight seeded players will miss the penultimate WTA 1000 of the season, and they are not the only notable absences as the tournament begins on September 23.

The most significant absence is undoubtedly defending champion and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who announced she would not participate in the tournament "due to personal matters," jeopardising her chances of staying at the top of the rankings as Aryna Sabalenka lurks nearby.

Danielle Collins is another critical withdrawal for the tournament. The American will miss the event due to illness and loses a significant opportunity to remain in contention for a spot in the WTA Finals. The 31-year-old has seen her performance decline with three consecutive losses since Wimbledon and currently sits 8th in the Race.

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Four former Grand Slam champions out

2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova underwent left wrist surgery before the US Open, ruling her out of the last Grand Slam of the season. Although there is no official confirmation, she is likely to miss the remainder of the season.

The 2018 Australian Open and two-time China Open champion (2010, 2018) opted not to travel for the Asian Swing, although no official reasons have been given. Since her return to the tour in 2023, the Danish player has been careful with her schedule, participating in a select number of tournaments while balancing family life. Wozniacki has spent the last few days in St. Louis taking time off with her family.

On the other hand, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who recently parted ways with her coach Stefano Vukov, withdrew from the tournament amid a season where she has consistently withdrawn. She has not provided a specific reason for her absence from Beijing. Similarly, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, who was registered for the tournament, decided to withdraw but will return in Wuhan two weeks later.

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More big names withdraws

Injury troubles after a demanding season have forced some players to end their competition early this year. Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Ons Jabeur made the decision to take time off and return in 2025: “Due to my ongoing shoulder injury, my medical team and I have made the difficult decision to step off the tennis circuit for the rest of the season,” she said.

Former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina has also ended her season after undergoing foot surgery due to a recurring injury that already forced her to finish her 2023 season early: “I am excited for the opportunity to focus on my recovery and come back even stronger than before. I am determined to do whatever it takes to get back on the court and compete at the highest level,” the Ukrainian said.

Indian Wells champion Maria Sakkari has also struggled with injuries in recent months. The Greek player missed the American hard court swing tournaments, including the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open, and rushed her recovery to be at the US Open, but withdrew after playing only one set in the first round against Wang Yafan.

Other withdrawals from the draw include Czech rising star Linda Noskova , former WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia, and former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova.

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