Korea Open 2024: Players To Withdraw And Their Replacements
The Korea Open 2024 is scheduled to take place from September 16 to September 22. The tournament was upgraded to WTA-500 status for 2024 and organizers were hoping for a very strong entry list.
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The Asian swing on the WTA Tour begins at the Korea Open. The Korea Open 2024 is scheduled to take place from September 16 to September 22.
The US Open 2024 runner-up, Jessica Pegula, won the competition in 2023. The tournament was upgraded to WTA-500 status for 2024 and organizers were hoping for a very strong entry list. However, several star players have decided to withdraw from the event being held in Seoul. Here are some of the top tennis players who have withdrawn from the Korea Open 2024.
Withdrawals From Korea Open 2024
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Iga Swiatek was the most high-profile player to withdraw from the Korea Open 2024. The world number one was locked in a tight race with US Open 2024 champion Aryna Sabalenka to finish the season on the top, which was probably why she planned to compete in Seoul. However, Swiatek cited her physical condition, saying it had not returned to normal since the US Open, to withdraw from the tournament.
Elena Rybakina was another big name to withdraw from the Korea Open 2024. Notably, she also withdrew from the US Open 2024 hours before her second-round match. The 23-year-old parted ways with her longtime coach, Stefano Vukov before the year’s final Grand Slam began.
US Open finalist Jessica Pegula also withdrew from the event. The defending champion said she needed additional rest after her run to the final in Flushing Meadows. It was a historic moment for the world number three, despite losing the final to Sabalenka.
Emma Navarro was one of two US Open semi finalists to pull out from the Korea Open 2024. She continued her outstanding year by making the semifinal at New York, also going down to Sabalenka. Navarro has appeared in 72 matches this year, more than any other player on the WTA Tour. The 23-year-old is in need of some rest.
Karolina Muchova was the other US Open semifinalist who decided to skip the Korea Open. Last year’s French Open runner-up took many by surprise with her performances at Flushing Meadows having only returned from ten months out with a wrist injury in June.
Replacements of the Stars
2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu enters the Korea Open draw due to Swiatek’s withdrawal. The Briton has struggled for consistency since returning to professional tennis this year after nine months out with injuries. This may be the opportunity she needs to change her fortunes.
Zhang Shuai replaces Rybakina at the Seoul meet. The Chinese is on a long streak of 23 consecutive singles losses. However, the 35-year-old reached the US Open women’s doubles final alongside Kristina Mladenvic, which could boost her confidence.
American Amanda Anisimova will step into Pegula’s shoes in the draw. The 23-year-old reached her first WTA-1000 final at the National Bank Open last month, ironically crashing out to Pegula in three sets. She will be looking forward to recapture her momentum during the Asian tour.
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The other players to find a place at the Korea Open draw were 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, Magdalena Frech, Viktoriya Tomova, Peyton Stearns, and Tatjana Maria.