Iga Swiatek has explained why she has pulled out of the Beijing Open.
Swiatek defeated Coco Gauff in the semi-finals before beating Liudmila Samsonova in the final to claim the WTA 1000 title in 2023.
The tournament is scheduled to commence next week, but it will take place without the defending champion.
The World number one has not played since losing to World number three Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals of the US Open and the wait to see her back in action continues.
Why has Iga Swiatek withdrawn from the Beijing Open?
Iga Swiatek was due to lead the Beijing Open field that included US Open winner Aryna Sabalenka, who will now be the top seed, and the runner-up at Flushing Meadows, Pegula.
But the WTA Tour announced via their social media accounts on Friday that Swiatek will not be playing in the Chinese capital.
Their message included a statement from the French Open winner, who has withdrawn from the event due to personal reasons.
“Due to personal matters, I’m forced to withdraw from the @ChinaOpen in Beijing,” Swiatek wrote. “I’m very sorry as I had an amazing time playing and winning this tournament last year and was really looking forward to being back there.
“I know that the fans will experience great tennis there and I’m sorry I won’t be a part of it this time.”
Iga Swiatek withdrew from the Korea Open as concern grows for the World number one
Swiatek was due to return to action at this week’s Korea Open in Seoul, but she pulled due to fatigue.
Now she will no longer compete in Beijing due to personal reasons and the concern for Swiatek grows not only on the court but also off of it.
Since winning her fourth French Open title in June, Swiatek’s results on court have taken a dip.
Her Wimbledon struggles continued after suffering a third round exit and she claimed a bronze medal at the Olympic Games after Qinwen Zheng defeated her in the semi-finals and went on to win the gold medal.
Swiatek then reached the semi-finals in Cincinnati, but was comprehensively beaten 3-6, 3-6 by Sabalenka, before Pegula ended her US Open Run.
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