Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the upcoming Wuhan Open just hours after announcing she’d pulled the plug on her highly successful coaching partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski.
Despite winning the French Open – her fifth Grand Slam title – earlier in the year, Swiatek has been left in the shadows by Aryna Sabalenka, who is being tipped to overtake the Pole in the WTA rankings.
The world No.1 didn’t compete at the recent China Open, with Swiatek set to miss another tournament as her frustrating end to 2024 continues.
And it looks as if Swiatek’s grip on the world No.1 spot could loosen even more this month.
Swiatek’s withdrawal was confirmed by the official Wuhan Open account on X, with a statement reading: “Unfortunately @iga_swiatek will not play in Wuhan this year.
“She is taking some time after making changes in her team. We will miss you Iga. See you next year.”
Before the same account shared a statement from Swiatek which said: “After an important change in my sports team, I decided to withdraw from the tournament in Wuhan.
“I’m really sorry for fans in China and those who wait to see me play, but I hope you understand that I need some time.”
It come after the 23-year-old announced earlier on Friday she’d parted ways with coach Wiktorowski after a trophy-laden three years together.
Taking to social media to announce the split, Swiatek posted: “Coach Wiktorowski joined my team for three seasons, when I strongly needed changes and a fresh approach to my game.
“His experience, analytical and strategic attitude and enormous knowledge about tennis helped us to achieve things I’ve never dreamed of only a few months after we started working together.”
She continued: “Our main goal was to become No.1 player in the world and coach Wiktorowski was the one who said it first.
“We aimed very high, we headed to every tournament with a clear goal to win it. Together with coach Wiktorowski we won many tournaments and 4 Grand Slams.”
The 2001-born star added: “It happened thanks to my entire sports team, with my fitness coach and physio Maciej Ryszczuk and my psychologist Daria Abramowicz on board.
“Coach, THANK YOU, I wish you all the best. I know that you would like to rest after these 3 years of hard work and traveling a lot and spend some well deserved time with your loved ones and I hope you’ll get what you need.”
Swiatek is expected to return for next month’s WTA Finals being held in Riyadh.
