Iga Swiatek withdraws from WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open

Defending champion Jessica Pegula has also pulled out of the competition.

Former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has decided to withdraw from the WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open due to the demands of a grueling season. Following her loss to Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round of the US Open last week, Swiatek lost the top place to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the WTA Rankings.

The 22-year-old said, she needed a reset after her 75-week run as world number one came to an end. Iga Swiatek has opted not to participate in the upcoming tournament in Mexico, commencing on September 17.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Swiatek expressed her reasons for the withdrawal: "Unfortunately, I need to withdraw from the Guadalajara tournament due to a schedule change. It's essential to listen to my body, and with the season being extremely demanding, our top priority is to ensure I finish it in good health while planning wisely to avoid risking injury."

This news doesn't come as a complete surprise, as the Polish player had returned to Europe following the US Open. It seemed impractical to make another long journey across the ocean for that event, particularly when she was looking to take some time to rest. The event is big, but it's a non-mandatory WTA 1000, so she can skip it without facing any consequences.

Reigning French Open champion Swiatek, who was set to make her debut in the September 17-23 Guadalajara tournament, mentioned her intention to return to action at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, scheduled for the week following the Guadalajara Open. Meanwhile, defending champion Jessica Pegula has also pulled out of Guadalajara Open. The American reached the fourth round in women's singles in the recently concluded US Open 2023.

The Guadalajara Open is soon followed by the China Open, which is the last WTA 1000 tournament of the season starting on September 30.