Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the Ningbo Open in China with a left thigh injury, a blow to her hopes of qualifying for the season-ending WTA Finals at Indian Wells next month.
The six-time major winner explained the decision in a statement posted on social media by the Ningbo tournament on Tuesday, ESPN reported.
“After careful consideration, I’ve decided to withdraw from the tournament,” Swiatek said. “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.”
Swiatek lost to eventual champion Maja Chwalinska in the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open last week and struggled at times in that match, according to ESPN.
WTA Finals race
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Swiatek was one of three players in contention for the last place in the eight-player WTA Finals field this week, with Karolina Muchova and Marta Kostyuk both ahead of her.
According to the WTA’s preview of the Ningbo event, Muchova would secure the final spot if Swiatek did not reach the quarter-finals and Kostyuk did not reach the final in Ningbo. Swiatek’s withdrawal means she can no longer reach the Ningbo quarter-finals, leaving Kostyuk needing a run to the final to keep the race open.
The WTA Finals start at Indian Wells on 8 November.
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