How Iga Swiatek’s decision to end her season early could have impact on Alex Eala’s 2026 campaign

Iga Swiatek has chosen to end her 2026 WTA campaign in October.

Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, was due to compete in the Ningbo Open this week. However, the Pole suffered an injury in the lead-up to the WTA 500 event and subsequently withdrew.

The withdrawal meant that Swiatek could no longer mathematically qualify for the WTA Finals – she will miss the event for the first time since 2020.

Following the withdrawal, Swiatek brought the curtain down on her 2026 season, describing her campaign as ‘one of the most demanding’ of her career so far.

Swiatek’s decision to end her season has impacted a number of players in the WTA Finals race, not least Karolina Muchova, who has now secured the final qualification spot.

The decision has also impacted the Philippines’ young star, Alexandra Eala.

Alex Eala’s chances of entering the WTA Finals as an alternate have been boosted

Upon withdrawing from the Ningbo Open, Swiatek still had the opportunity to be an alternate for the WTA Finals. Alternates are individuals who fill in for qualified competitors who withdraw due to injury or illness.

However, Swiatek will not travel to Indian Wells as an alternate, meaning one of the three alternate spots has been freed up.

One of those spots will be filled by Marta Kostyuk, who surrendered the final qualifying position to Karolina Muchova on Wednesday after withdrawing injured from the Ningbo Open.

The second alternate position is currently held by American youngster Iva Jovic, who has collected 2,941 ranking points so far this year.

As things stand, four players are currently competing for the final alternate spot: Diana Shnaider, Sorana Cirstea, Belinda Bencic and Alexandra Eala.

How have these four players performed at the Ningbo Open?

Shnaider, Cirstea, Bencic and Eala are competing at the Ningbo Open this week.

Three of the four individuals have advanced to the round of 16 in China: Shnaider, Bencic and Eala.

Eala defeated Diane Parry, Shnaider defeated Yulia Putintseva and Bencic overcame Jelena Ostapenko.

Cirstea, who will retire from her playing career at the end of this season, was defeated by Abu Dhabi Open champion Sara Beljek on Wednesday.

Eala and Shnaider are due to play each other in the round of 16, while Bencic will face Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa.