Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the Ningbo Open due to an ongoing left thigh injury, effectively ending her chances of qualifying directly for the 2026 WTA Finals.
The Polish star confirmed the decision in a statement released by tournament organizers on Tuesday. “After careful consideration, I’ve decided to withdraw from the tournament. I’ve been experiencing an ongoing problem with my left thigh over the past weeks and I feel that giving myself the time to rest and recover is the right decision,” Swiatek said.
The injury first became apparent during her Wuhan Open semifinal loss to compatriot Maja Chwalinska last weekend. Swiatek required a medical timeout, played with her left thigh bandaged, and struggled with movement as she fell in straight sets. She had ignored earlier advice from her physiotherapist to retire from that match.
This is the first year since 2019 that Swiatek will not qualify for the season-ending championships as one of the top eight players in the Race. She had earned a place in 2020, though the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her only remaining route into the Indian Wells field is now as an alternate.
Swiatek entered the final stretch of the season competing with Karolina Muchova and Marta Kostyuk for the last available spot. Muchova currently holds the eighth position in the Race standings. With Ningbo off the table and the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo still to come, the former world No. 1 can no longer close the gap sufficiently even with a title run in Japan.
The Last Word
The withdrawal marks a difficult close to a challenging 2026 campaign for the 25-year-old, who has struggled to recapture the dominance of previous seasons. Fans and the tennis community have wished her a swift recovery as she prioritises her long-term fitness.
Swiatek’s absence from Ningbo reshapes the final qualification picture and leaves the door open for others in the race for the season’s last major stage.
Main Photo Credit: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz