Top six players who have withdrawn from WTA Stuttgart Open 2025

Defending champion Elena Rybakina will miss the event.

The Stuttgart Open 2025 is a women’s professional tennis tournament played on indoor clay courts in Stuttgart, Germany. It is scheduled to take place from April 14 to 21 April. The tournament is part of the WTA 500 category on the 2025 WTA Tour and this edition marks its 47th edition.

Several top seeds including World No. #1 Aryna Sabalenka, former champion Iga Swiatek, Indian Wells winner Mirra Andreeva, and the new World No. #3 Jessica Pegula, who recently displaced Coco Gauff, following her triumph in Charleston Open, will be in action. Despite the presence of a star-studded panel, some notable tennis players including defending champion Elena Rybakina are set to skip the tournament.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top players who have withdrawn from WTA Stuttgart Open 2025.

6. Ons Jabeur

Former Wimbledon and US Open finalist, Ons Jabeur, has been out of action since retiring from the second round of Miami Open in March. The Tunisian handed a walkover to Jasmine Paolini in the third round with a leg issue. Since then, she has missed the Charleston Open and will also be absent for the WTA 500 event in Stuttgart.

5. Barbora Krejcikova

Two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova has withdrawn from the WTA 500 Stuttgart Open due to ongoing back issues. These lingering injuries had already forced her to miss the Australian Open, as well as the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments. The Czech star has been battling both form and fitness, casting doubt over her participation in the remainder of the clay court season.

4. Qinwen Zheng

Qinwen Zheng pulled out of the WTA-500 event due to a shoulder injury sustained in Charleston, during her quarter-final defeat to Ekaterina Alexandrova. After a slow start to the season, the Chinese found some momentum, advancing to successive quarter-finals in Indian Wells, Miami and Charleston. This injury, therefore, came at a wrong time for Zheng as she aims to re-enter the top five WTA rankings.

Also Read: Stuttgart Open: Full list of winners

3. Paula Badosa

Paula Badosa suffered a low back injury prior to the Indian Wells Open, which forced her to withdraw from the WTA 1000 event. Although she returned to action at the Miami Open, the Spaniard was forced to retire during her round of 16 match due to recurring back pain.

The chronic nature of the injury has once again sidelined Badosa, though she remains hopeful of making a comeback later this season. She has been replaced by Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.

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2. Madison Keys

Australian Open champion Madison Keys is notably absent from the 2025 Stuttgart Open entry list. While the exact reason for her withdrawal remains unconfirmed, her recent schedule suggests a strategic break to manage workload and recover fully. Keys last competed in Charleston, where she suffered a second-round loss to Anna Kalinskaya.

After a remarkable Grand Slam run in Melbourne, she returned at Indian Wells, reaching the semifinals before falling to Aryna Sabalenka. However, back-to-back early exits in Miami and Charleston Open may have prompted her to reset and aim for a stronger comeback later in the clay season.

Also Read: Top five oldest champions on WTA Tour

1. Elena Rybakina

Reigning champion Elena Rybakina decided to play Billie Jean King Cup instead of Stuttgart Open 2025. The Kazakh’s decision came under heavy scrutiny, as she last won a WTA title at this very venue. Moreover, Rybakina is set to lose 500 points, forcing a top-10 exit for the first time since January 30.

Rybakina has voiced criticism toward the WTA’s scheduling, and expressed her passion for representing Kazakhstan in team competitions, justifying her call to prioritize the BJK Cup. Off the court, the 25-year-old has also been dealing with ongoing drama surrounding her coaching situation — a controversy that appears to have taken a mental toll, as reflected in her recent performances on the court.

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