The Washington Open is the only combined ATP/WTA-500 event on the tennis calendar. The women’s entry list for the tournament is superb, with two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka being the top seed. However, four players have withdrawn from the Washington Open. This article lists those who have decided not to compete and then names their replacements in the draw. We at LWOT also reported on five ATP players who withdrew from the Washington Open.
Four WTA Players Withdraw From Washington Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Madison Keys was the biggest name on the WTA Tour to withdraw from the Washington Open. The 2017 US Open runner-up had to retire in the third set of her Wimbledon fourth-round against the eventual finalist Jasmine Paolini with a hamstring injury. She has not recovered quickly enough from that issue to compete at the WTA-500 event.
Anna Kalinskaya was the second player to withdraw from the Washington Open. She also sustained an injury at Wimbledon. Kalinskaya retired from her fourth-round battle against Elena Rybakina in the second set with a wrist injury, and the Dubai Open runner-up is still struggling with that problem.
Veronika Kudermetova also withdrew from the tournament. No official has been given for her decision not to play in Washington. Her last match was a three-set epic at Wimbledon against the eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova.
Zhu Lin was the other player to withdraw from the Washington Open. It is currently unknown why the Chinese player decided not to play. Hard courts are Zhu’s best surface, so she will hope for strong results when she starts her North American hard court season.
Who Replaces Those Four Players in the Draw?
Ashlyn Krueger benefits from Keys’ electing not to play at the Washington Open. The 20-year-old possesses formidable firepower, and if she finds her range, the American will be a difficult draw for anyone.
Taylor Townsend enters the Washington Open entry list due to Kalinskaya’s withdrawal. Like Krueger, she is a powerful player. Admittedly, this year’s Wimbledon women’s doubles winner is inconsistent on the singles court, but she usually performs better in front of home American crowds.
Wang Yafan replaces Kudermetova. She reached the second round of the US Open in 2016, 2018 and 2023. The 30-year-old will hope to build some momentum in the US capital to get past the second round at Flushing Meadows for the first time.
Katie Volynets is the final player now set to compete at the Washington Open. The 22-year-old has enjoyed her best season to date so far, including victories against Ons Jabeur and Mirra Andreeva in Indian Wells. She now has a chance to create more upsets on home soil in Washington.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
