Iga Swiatek advanced to the round of 16 at the China Open via a walkover when her opponent, Camila Osorio, retired due to injury.
The Pole clinched yet another bagel in the first set, before the Colombian called a halt to the clash before the start of the second.
Osorio’s injury marked the third withdrawal of the day in Beijing, with Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool pulling out of their doubles tie before it had begun, and Lois Boisson retiring mid-contest with Emma Navarro.
After booking her place in the fourth round, Swiatek reacted to the flurry of injuries, which she puts down to the ‘crazy’ WTA scheduling.
Iga Swiatek reacts to the withdrawals at the China Open
In her post-match press conference, the world number two said: “Obviously, the season is long.
“In the second part of it, players are definitely more fatigued. Unfortunately, I think the Asian swing is the hardest part, because you feel like the season is almost over, but you still have to keep pushing.
“For me, I don’t yet know what my career will look like in a few years. Maybe I’ll have to skip some tournaments, even if they’re mandatory. The WTA rules with all the mandatory events make it pretty crazy for us.
“I don’t think any top player can actually manage to play all six 500-level tournaments — it’s just impossible to fit everything into the schedule.”
WTA rules state that all eligible players must compete in all four majors, all 10 WTA 1000 competitions, and six WTA 500 tournaments.
“So I think we have to be smart about it and, unfortunately, not care too much about the rules, but instead focus on what’s healthy for us. It’s tough.
“Right now, since I’ve decided to play all the mandatory tournaments, the only thing I can do is take care of my body and my recovery.
“I have a great team around me helping with that, and I’m experienced enough to know what I need to do. Physically, I feel good.
“But yeah, there are a lot of injuries, and I think that’s because the season is too long and too intense.”
The remainder of the 2025 WTA calendar after the China Open
After her appearance at the China Open, it is mandatory that Swiatek and all eligible players compete in the Wuhan Open, which is the last WTA 1000 event of the season.
Then, five more WTA 250s are up for grabs in October and November, as well as two WTA 500 competitions.
At the start of November, the WTA Finals in Riyadh will get underway, which Swiatek has already qualified for, along with Aryna Sabalenka.
She will have just under two months of offseason after the year end tournament, before the Australian swing in 2026.
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