The Budapest Grand Prix is one of two clay-court events taking place next week on the WTA Tour. This year’s Bad Homburg Open champion Diana Shnaider and 2020 French Open semifinalist Nadia Podoroska are among the players on the entry list. Unfortunately, some high-ranked players have withdrawn from the Budapest Grand Prix. This article names those who have decided to withdraw and then lists their replacements. We at LWOT also reported on eight players withdrawing from the Palermo Open.
Seven Players Withdraw From Budapest Grand Prix
Which Players Have withdrawn?
Daria Kasatakina was the first player to withdraw from the Budapest Grand Prix. She had won the title in Eastbourne heading into Wimbledon, but the 27-year-old lost in the third round to Paula Badosa. Kasatkina also announced she will not be playing at the Olympics in Roland-Garros in a couple of weeks, meaning she may feel playing a clay-court tournament at this time of the year is pointless.
Ekaterina Alexandrova was the second player to withdraw from the Budapest Grand Prix. Due to an illness, she also could not play in her scheduled first-round match at Wimbledon against Emma Raducanu. It is unclear if that is also the reason for her decision not to compete in Hungary.
Yulia Putintseva also withdrew from the event. The Kazakhstani claimed the title in Birmingham a few weeks ago and reached the fourth round at Wimbledon. Her run at SW19 was ended by the 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. Understandably, Putintseva feels some additional rest is needed after those efforts.
Anhelina Kalinina was the fourth player to withdraw from the Budapest Grand Prix entry list. The Ukrainian suffered a disappointing defeat in the opening round of Wimbledon to Elina Avanesyan. It is unknown why Kalinina has decided not to play in Budapest.
Taylor Townsend, Laura Siegemund, and Daria Saville were the other three players who withdrew from the tournament.
Who Replaces Those Seven Players in the Draw?
Rebecca Sramkova will take Kasatkina’s place at the Budapest Grand Prix. The Slovakian played an event on clay during the second week of Wimbledon at the Swedish Open, but she lost in straight sets in the opening round. Sramkova will hope for better luck in Hungary.
Anna Bondar benefits from Alexandrova’s decision to withdraw from the Budapest Grand Prix. It is an exciting opportunity for the Hungarian to play in front of her home fans. She will hope to become inspired by the passionate local supporters.
Kamilla Rakhimova will replace Putintseva at the event. Her best Grand Slam result was reaching the third round of the French Open on clay. However, her results on the dirt have not been as strong since that achievement.
Aliaksandra Sasnovich is also set to feature at the Budapest Grand Prix. She appeared in the fourth round of the French Open in 2022. Sasnovich is a gritty competitor who makes it difficult for her opponents to hit winners.
Suzan Lamens, Laura Siegemund and Taylor Townsend were the other three players to come into the draw.
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
