Many of the biggest names in women’s tennis are in the draw for the WTA Stuttgart event includingincludes 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff, world #1 Aryna Sabalenka, and four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek. Although the entry list is the strongest seen at a WTA 500 tournament so far this season, there were also four high-profile withdrawals.
Four Players Withdraw From WTA Stuttgart
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Danielle Collins withdrew from WTA Stuttgart. The 31-year-old began her clay court season by defending the title she won in Charleston last year, losing in the quarterfinal to Jessica Pegula. Collins also decided not to play in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers last week. No official reason has been given for her not competing in Stuttgart.
Paula Badosa was another player to withdraw from the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The Spaniard retired from her Merida Open quarterfinal with a back injury in February. Badosa returned at the Miami Open, but the injury flared up again and she withdrew before the round of 16. The former world No. 2 has elected to take an extended break to try and recover from the injury.
Barbora Krejcikova’s injury woes have continued with another withdrawal. Last year’s Wimbledon champion has not played a tournament this year due to a back injury. She hoped to return in Stuttgart, but that proved to be too ambitious a target. Hopefully, fans will see her in action again at some point during the clay court swing.
Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen was the final player to withdraw from the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. In her most recent appearance, she lost in the Charleston Open quarterfinal to Ekaterina Alexandrova. Although not confirmed by Zheng, not playing in Stuttart is likely due to the elbow issue she struggled with in Charleston.
Who Replaced Those Players in the Draw?
Collins’ withdrawal handed an opportunity to Ella Seidel. The home favorite lost to Dayana Yastremska in the final round of qualifying, but has entered the main draw as a lucky loser. She will face compatriot Tatjana Maria in the opening round, and it is a great opportunity for both players to get a WTA 500 victory.
Marta Kostyuk took Badosa’s place in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix main draw. Someone as good as the Ukrainian not being in the main draw until Badosa decided to withdraw shows the strength of the field in Stuttgart. Kostyuk faces a challenging opening-round match against the Dubai Championships and BNP Paribas Open champion Mirra Andreeva.
Anastasia Potapova replaced Barbora Krejcikova. The gritty 24-year-old is a very competent clay court player, evidenced by her reaching the fourth round of the 2024 French Open. She will face the big-hitting Clara Tauson in the first round. Due to Zheng’s withdrawal, Rebecca Sramkova entered the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix main draw and will play Magdalena Frech.
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
