Iga Świątek pulled out of the 2026 Ningbo Open on Tuesday, citing a lingering left thigh injury. The former world No. 1, currently ranked No. 9, said the decision came after weeks of managing the pain.
"After careful consideration, I've decided to withdraw from the tournament," Świątek said in a statement. She pinpointed "an ongoing problem" with her left thigh and called rest the right choice heading into the season's final stretch.
Świątek Opts for Rest After 'Demanding' 2026 Season
Świątek's injury first surfaced at last week in Wuhan, where she competed despite the discomfort before Maja Chwalińska ended her run in the semifinals. Rather than push through another event, she opted to step back.
"This has been one of the most demanding seasons of my career, with a lot of challenges, changes and lessons along the way," she wrote on Instagram. "I feel I need to rest and recover my body fully. So that’s exactly what I will do, a bit longer this time."
Her exit from the tour effectively closes the dour on her WTA Finals qualification bid, opening a lane for Marta Kostyuk to claim the last spot.
Meanwhile, Anastasia Zakharova will enter the main draw in Ningbo as Świątek's replacement after falling in qualifying earlier this week. The Russian, ranked No. 111, will get her unexpected debut at the tournament thanks to Świątek's scratch.
