Swiatek chooses recovery after an interrupted finish
Iga Swiatek has ended her 2026 season after withdrawing from the Ningbo Open in China because of a left thigh injury. The second seed’s withdrawal was followed on Tuesday, October 20, by confirmation that she would play no further tournaments this year.
Swiatek said the problem had affected her for several weeks and that she wanted to give her body more time to recover. The WTA reported that the same injury had troubled her during last week’s Wuhan semifinal defeat to Maja Chwalińska.
Her decision closes her pursuit of the remaining WTA Finals singles place. It also changes the Ningbo draw, where alternate Anastasia Zakharova replaces her.
The world No. 9 finishes with a 39–15 record and one singles title, won in Toronto. She did not win a Grand Slam title this season, with her best major result coming in the Australian Open quarterfinals, according to Tennis Now.
In her season-ending message, Swiatek described a demanding year while expressing satisfaction with the progress made during its second half. She said the extended break was intended to allow fuller recovery.
No specific return tournament was announced in the statement. Her confirmed next step is rest, with further competition plans left for a later update.