The Asian swing on the WTA Tour begins at the Korea Open. This year’s US Open runner-up, Jessica Pegula, won the event in 2023. Organizers were undoubtedly hoping for a very strong entry list after the tournament was upgraded to WTA-500 status for 2024. Unfortunately, several top players have decided to withdraw from the event being held in Seoul. This article names those players and lists their replacements in the draw.
Eight Players Withdraw From Korea Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Iga Swiatek was the most high-profile player to withdraw from the Korea Open. The Pole is locked in a tight race with US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka to finish the season as the world No. 1, which was probably why she planned to compete in Seoul. However, Swiatek said her physical condition had not returned to normal since the US Open, meaning she is not ready to compete yet.
Elena Rybakina was another significant name to withdraw from the Korea Open. She also withdrew from the US Open hours before her second-round match. Rybakina split with her longtime coach, Stefano Vukov before the year’s final Grand Slam began, and some have questioned whether that impacted the Kazakhstani. It is impossible to know for sure, though.
Jessica Pegula also withdrew from the event. The defending champion understandably feels she needs additional rest after her run to the US Open final. It was a breakthrough moment for the world No. 3, despite ending in disappointment after losing the final to Sabalenka.
Emma Navarro was one of two US Open semifinalists to withdraw from the Korea Open. She continued her outstanding year by making the semifinal at Flushing Meadows, also falling to Sabalenka. Navarro has played 72 matches this year, more than any other player on the WTA Tour. That makes some recovery time essential for the 23-year-old.
Karolina Muchova was the other US Open semifinalist to withdraw from the Korea Open. Last year’s French Open runner-up shocked many with her performances at New York having only returned from ten months out with a wrist injury in June. Muchova hit a memorable shot behind her back during her run at the US Open.
Katie Boulter, Karolina Pliskova, and Anastasia Potapova also withdrew.
Who Replaces Those Eight Players in the Draw?
2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu enters the Korea Open draw due to Swiatek electing to withdraw. The Briton has struggled for consistency since returning to professional tennis this year after nine months out with injuries. This may be the opportunity she needs to change her fortunes.
Zhang Shuai replaces Rybakina at the Korea Open. She is on a long run of 23 consecutive singles losses. However, the 35-year-old made the US Open women’s doubles final alongside Kristina Mladenvic, which could give her some much-needed confidence.
Amanda Anisimova takes Pegula’s place in the draw. The 23-year-old reached her first WTA-1000 final at the National Bank Open last month, ironically losing to Pegula in three sets. She will hope to recapture some of that form during the Asian swing.
The other players to enter the Korea Open draw were 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, Magdalena Frech, Viktoriya Tomova, Peyton Stearns, and Tatjana Maria.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
