Iga Swiatek Disappoints Fans With Decision on Korea Open

Iga Swiatek provided a dispiriting reason for backing out of the Korea Open.

Aug 31, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) reacts after beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on day six of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images / Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Tennis fans can now add Iga Swiatek to the rapidly growing list of women's players who have withdrawn from the Korea Open. Swiatek says her physical condition has not returned to normal since playing in the 2024 US Open.

So far, the tournament has lost Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Emma Navarro. There will be no top-ten WTA players participating in Seoul this fall.

Swiatek has enjoyed plenty of highs and lows throughout this season. She won the French Open and won a bronze medal in the Paris Olympics. However, Swiatek has struggled at times and cited the grueling schedule as a reason for her physical ailments.

Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from Seoul.

She says her physical condition hasn’t returned back to normal since playing the US Open.

So far, the tournament has lost:

Elena Rybakina

Jessica Pegula

Emma Navarro

Iga Swiatek

No top 10 player is left in the draw. pic.twitter.com/tmaV8S1TXf

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 13, 2024

After her match at the Cincinnati Open in August, Swiatek warned that the WTA Tour had too many tournaments. Switaek said, "I think we have too many tournaments in the season. It's not going to end well. It makes tennis less fun for us. Obviously, I love playing tennis in all these places, but it's pretty exhausting."

Swiatek concluded, "We deserve to rest a little bit more. Maybe people are going to hate me for that..."

While many fans are left disappointed that Swiatek has withdrawn from the Korean Open, they have to respect her decision to prioritize her health. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

More Tennis News

• The 2024 US Open television ratings were a major let-down.

• Coco Gauff reflects on her summer after early exit from the US Open.

• (Interview) Taylor Fritz and Morgan Riddle discuss their relationship.