Five players who have withdrawn from WTA Qatar Open 2025

Australian Open champion Madison Keys will not feature in Qatar.

After an incredible start to the new season, the tennis action returns to Qatar’s capital city Doha. The Qatar Open 2025 will be played at the International Tennis and Squash complex in Doha, Qatar from February 9 to 15. This will be the 23rd edition of the tournament and the event is set to feature some of the most renowned tennis stars, who will battle it out in the first WTA 1000 tournament of the 2025 calendar year.

World No. #2 Iga Swiatek will be eyeing her fourth consecutive title in Doha after she became the first-ever athlete to win the competition three times. However, she will face stiff competition from archrivals Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff.

Some of the other prominent players include Qinwen Zheng, Paula Badosa, Jessica Pegula and Emma Raducanu, who will fight for their maiden title in Doha.

However, some big names have decided to skip the tournament. Today, we’ll take a look at five players who have withdrawn from the Qatar Open.

Five players who have withdrawn from Qatar Open 2025

5. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

The 25th seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is set to miss the tournament due to illness which earlier forced her to retire mid-way during her round of 16 battle in the 2025 Abu Dhabi Open. This is a big blow for the semi-finalist from the previous season, as the Russian began the year with a solid performance Down Under.

Pavlyuchenkova advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the fourth time, beating Donna Vekic in the fourth round in straight sets. The 2021 French Open finalist gave Aryna Sabalenka a scare in the quarters but eventually bowed out.

Also Read: Top five players with most WTA 1000 title wins

4. Karolina Muchova

Karolina Muchova opted out of the WTA 1000 tournament, after sustaining a leg injury at the recent Linz Open, where she reached the semi-final. Muchova, who was the No. #1 seed in Linz, had to battle through a challenging match, ultimately facing defeat in the semis.

“I hope to be ready for the Dubai tournament next,” said Muchova, expressing her disappointment and her focus on recovery, following her match in Linz. Physical issues have plagued Muchova in the last couple of years and the Czech would hope that the leg issue is not severe.

Muchova’s absence from the Doha tournament is a significant blow to the event, as she is one of the most watchable players on the WTA Tour.

3. Barbora Krejcikova

Barbora Krejcikova has also withdrawn from the Qatar Open. She previously missed the Australian Open due to a lingering back injury, which is yet to heal. As a result, the Czech’s return to tennis in the new year has been further delayed. At this stage, it remains uncertain when the Wimbledon champion will make her comeback.

Also Read: Players with most wins in WTA 1000 events

2. Danielle Collins

Danielle Collins will miss the WTA Qatar Open 2025 due to a lingering foot injury. Collins, who caused controversy at the Australian Open by taunting the fans and saying she would use their money to go on a vacation, was recently pictured on the holiday she promised.

The 31-year-old though, would be unhappy with her returns from Down Under as she was eliminated in the third round at the hands of eventual champion, Madison Keys. The American lost her place in the top-10 WTA rankings post the conclusion of the marquee event, and her withdrawal from Qatar sees her drift even further from the apex spots.

Big withdrawals at Qatar Open: Madison Keys and Danielle Collins out #Tennis #AO2025 https://t.co/VAr1g7ccPf

— TennisUpToDate (@TennisUpToDate2) January 30, 2025

1. Madison Keys

The competition suffered its biggest shock when recently crowned Australian Open winner Madison Keys had to withdraw from the Qatar Open 2025 as a result of a leg injury. Additionally, the American opted out of the following week’s Dubai Tennis Championships.

There were no indications that she had an issue during her incredible recent run to the Australian Open title, but she might have managed it throughout the event in Melbourne.

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