The Grand Slam action on the WTA Tour is over for 2024 after Aryna Sabalenka won her first US Open title. However, the tennis does not stop, with the Guadalajara Open starting Monday. 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and this year’s Miami Open winner Danielle Collins are the Top 2 seeds in Mexico. Unfortunately, several high-profile players have decided to withdraw from the Guadalajara Open. This article names those who have elected not to play and then lists their replacements in the draw.
Eight Players Withdraw From Guadalajara Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Emma Navarro was a notable name to withdraw from the Guadalajara Open. Her decision is unsurprising. The American had a superb run to the US Open semifinal, exiting to the eventual champion Sabalenka despite rallying in the second set. Navarro is enjoying some deserved time off before the Asian swing after a breakthrough season so far.
Olympic Gold Medalist Zheng Qinwen was another high-profile player to withdraw from the Guadalajara Open. She also had a good run in New York, making the quarterfinal before being another woman to lose to Sabalenka. Unfortunately for Zheng, she got hammered 6-1 6-2 after a ruthless performance from the Belarusian on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Last year’s Guadalajara Open champion, Maria Sakkari, also withdrew from the event. Sakkari retired from her first-round match at the US Open against Wang Yafan with a shoulder injury. The Greek announced she had not recovered from that injury in time to defend her title in Mexico.
Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, was given a wild card for the Guadalajara Open. However, the Canadian elected to withdraw from the WTA-500 tournament instead. No official reason was given for Andreescu’s decision.
Anna Kalinskaya also withdrew from the Guadalajara Open entry list. On Sunday, she was in the stands watching her boyfriend, Jannik Sinner, win his first US Open title. Going to Mexico to prepare for a tournament so quickly afterward always seemed unrealistic.
Beatriz Haddad Maia, Taylor Townsend, and Paula Badosa were the other players who withdrew.
Who Replaces Those Players in the Draw?
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova benefits from Navarro’s decision to withdraw from the Guadalajara Open. She reached the semifinals of this year’s Olympics, losing to Wimbledon semifinalist Donna Vekic at that stage and to Iga Swiatek in the bronze medal match.
Ashlyn Krueger replaces Zheng at the Guadalajara Open. The American’s powerful style suits the event’s speedy conditions. She could be a dark horse for a deep run in Mexico if she plays her best tennis.
Tatjana Maria is also in the draw due to Sakkari’s withdrawal. The 37-year-old ended a long streak of defeats at WTA 250 level and above at the US Open, falling in the second round to Coco Gauff. Her unique style of tennis is always enjoyable to watch regardless of the result.
Sachia Vickery, Hailey Baptiste, Emina Bektas, Martina Trevisan, and Camila Osorio were the other players to enter the draw.
Main Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
