The final WTA 1000 event of 2024 will be played at the Wuhan Open. Many intriguing storylines surround the tournament, such as Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka’s battle for the No. 1 ranking and players like Emma Navarro, attempting to qualify for the year-end WTA Finals. Unfortunately, several high-profile players have also withdrawn from the tournament. This article names those players and their replacements in the draw.
14 Players Withdraw From Wuhan Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Iga Swiatek was the most high-profile player to withdraw from the Wuhan Open. The Pole announced she had split from her longtime coach, Tomasz Wistorowski, after three years together. As a result, Swiatek needs time to appoint and start working with a new coach. The French Open’s champion’s decision not to play means Sabalenka will overtake her as world No. 1 after the final WTA 1000 event of the year if she reaches the quarterfinals.
Elena Rybakina was another player to withdraw from the Wuhan Open. She said a back injury made her unable to compete in China. However, some fear the former Wimbledon winner’s withdrawal might actually have something to do with her sudden split from Stefano Vukov, who has reportedly been banned from the WTA Tour.
Danielle Collins’ hopes of qualifying for the WTA Finals took a blow after she withdrew. The American is locked in a battle with Emma Navarro and Qinwen Zheng for the final qualifying spot. Unfortunately for the 2022 Australian Open runner-up, her chances have been damaged after being struck down by an untimely illness.
Ons Jabeur is another notable woman to withdraw from the Wuhan Open. The Tunisian ended her season early because of a shoulder injury that had been bothering her all year. She hopes that resting the problem will help her be fit for the start of 2025.
The other players who withdrew were Marketa Vondrousova, Elina Svitolina, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Garcia, Linda Noskova, Jelena Ostapenko, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Karolina Pliskova, Maria Sakkari, and Lulu Sun.
Who Replaces Those Players in the Draw?
Diane Parry takes Swiatek’s place in the Wuhan Open draw. The Frenchwoman possesses an elegant playing style, including a one-handed backhand. It has been a mixed season for Parry, but she can still finish strongly, starting in Wuhan.
Clara Burel is another French player who entered the draw, replacing Rybakina. She created headlines at this year’s US Open by staging an extraordinary comeback against the 2017 champion Sloane Stephens from 0-6 1-4 down on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Collins’s decision to withdraw gives Ashlyn Krueger an opportunity. The big-hitting American is a dangerous player who enjoys competing in Asian conditions, as demonstrated by her sole WTA Tour title, which came in Japan last year.
Amanda Anisimova benefits from Jabeur electing to withdraw from the Wuhan Open. The former French Open semifinalist reached her first WTA 1000 title at the National Bank Open in Toronto in August and will try to recapture that form in China.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
