The biggest story heading into the 2024 China Open in Beijing is not who is entered in the WTA 1000 event, but who is not. A total of 12 high profile women’s tennis players have decided not to participate in China this week.
The list includes five-time grand slam champion and world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland (personal reasons, recently criticized the schedule for being too long), 2022 Wimbledon champion and world number four Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan (back) world number nine and 2022 Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins of the United States (illness), world number 17 and two-time grand slam semifinalist Maria Sakkari of Greece (shoulder), world number 21 and three-time grand slam finalist Ons Jabeur of Tunisia (shoulder), 2012 and 2013 Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (undisclosed), world number 23 Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic (undisclosed), world number 27 and three-time grand slam semifinalist Elina Svitolina of Ukraine (foot), world number 44 and two-time grand slam finalist Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic (undisclosed), world number 51 Sorona Cirstea of Romania (undisclosed), world number 54 and 2021 United States Open champion Emma Raducanu of Great Britain (foot), and world number 60 and 2017 United States Open champion Sloane Stephens of the United States (undisclosed).
The defending champion is Swiatek. A year ago she defeated Liudmila Samsonova of Russia, 6-2, 6-2. With Swiatek absent, the number one seed is now Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who won the Australian Open in January, and the United States Open earlier this month. Due to the fact Swiatek is missing the China Open after winning the tournament last year, increases Sabalenka’s chances of finishing number one.
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