Tokyo Open suffers major blow as four top-10 stars withdraw from tournament

Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 21:30

The 2026 Pan Pacific Open has suffered a major setback before the tournament has even started, with four top-10 players withdrawing from the WTA 500 event in Tokyo. Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk have all pulled out, leaving world No. 1 Elena Rybakina as the only player from the top 10 remaining on the entry list.

The tournament will take place from October 26 to November 1 at the Ariake Coliseum, with the 52nd edition marking the final WTA 500 event of the 2026 season. Five top-10 players were initially listed for the competition, but four have since withdrawn, significantly changing the field ahead of the main draw.

Swiatek’s withdrawal is particularly notable, as the six-time Grand Slam champion has now ended her season early because of a persistent left thigh injury. The Pole initially struggled with the problem during the Wuhan Open, where she lost in the semi-finals to compatriot Maja Chwalinska, before withdrawing from the Ningbo Open and announcing that she would not compete again in 2026.

The decision also ends Swiatek’s hopes of qualifying for the WTA Finals in Indian Wells. Although she could theoretically have remained an alternate for the season-ending event, her announcement that she has finished her campaign means she is not expected to travel and wait for a possible opening in the eight-player field.

Swiatek ends season after injury setback

Swiatek’s withdrawal from Tokyo follows a difficult week in China. During her Wuhan semi-final against Chwalinska, the former world No. 1 struggled with her left thigh and required medical attention before completing the match. She subsequently withdrew from Ningbo, where she had been due to fight for the points needed to keep her WTA Finals hopes alive.

The Pole explained that she needed additional time to recover and confirmed that her season was over. "After careful consideration, I’ve decided to withdraw from the tournament,” she explained. “I’ve been experiencing an ongoing problem with my left thigh over the past weeks and I feel that giving myself the time to rest and recover is the right decision."

The decision means Swiatek will miss the WTA Finals for the first time since 2020, when the tournament was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She had competed at every edition since 2021 and won the title in 2023. Her absence also removes one of the biggest names from the Tokyo field, where she had been expected to compete before the injury interrupted her schedule.

Swiatek’s withdrawal from the WTA Finals leaves the remaining qualification battle to other contenders, including Karolina Muchova and Kostyuk. However, Kostyuk has also withdrawn from Tokyo after retiring during her opening match in Ningbo, ending her own chances of qualifying for the season-ending championship.

Pegula, Svitolina and Kostyuk also pull out

Pegula, currently ranked No. 4, has also withdrawn from Tokyo after skipping the China Open and pulling out of Ningbo. The American had spoken about fatigue following a demanding summer and has played just one match since losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open semi-finals: a second-round defeat to Jelena Ostapenko in Wuhan. She has been replaced in the Tokyo entry list by Ann Li.

Svitolina, the world No. 6, withdrew from the Pan Pacific Open on Wednesday after also missing Ningbo. The Ukrainian had announced earlier in the week that she and her husband, former ATP player Gael Monfils, had separated. Her Tokyo withdrawal adds another absence to a tournament that had initially attracted several of the WTA’s leading players.

Kostyuk, ranked No. 10, completed the list of top-10 withdrawals after retiring with an injury during her opening match in Ningbo. Her early exit there had already ended her hopes of qualifying for the WTA Finals, and she has now been replaced in Tokyo by Cristina Bucsa.

Anna Kalinskaya, ranked No. 23, has also withdrawn from the Pan Pacific Open. The Russian has not played since retiring against Zheng Qinwen at the China Open because of illness and will be replaced by Diane Parry.

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The updated withdrawal list leaves Rybakina as the sole top-10 player still entered in Tokyo. The world No. 1 is set to lead the field, while defending champion Belinda Bencic will also return after winning the 2025 title against Linda Noskova.

With four top-10 players missing and Swiatek having ended her season altogether, the Pan Pacific Open faces a very different field from the one originally announced.

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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