The tennis world was shocked to learn that Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Barbora Krejcikova will all be skipping the upcoming WTA 1000 event in Toronto. The absence of these top players is certainly disappointing for fans who were looking forward to seeing them compete on the Canadian courts.
Swiatek, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the world, recently wrapped up her successful run at the Paris Olympics where she claimed the bronze medal after defeating Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in a dominant fashion with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-1. Despite her impressive performance, the young Polish player cited fatigue as the reason for her withdrawal from the tournament in Toronto, which is set to kick off next week.
In a statement, Swiatek expressed her regret about having to pull out of the event due to her exhaustion from the hectic schedule and different playing surfaces she has encountered in recent weeks. She emphasized the importance of taking time to rest and recover in order to be fully prepared for the upcoming US swing of tournaments. Although Swiatek has not had much success in Toronto in the past, she remains optimistic and looks forward to returning to compete in the city in the future.
Meanwhile, Rybakina, who recently reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, was also expected to participate in the Paris Olympics representing Kazakhstan. However, the 2022 Wimbledon champion was mysteriously absent at the start of the Games, leading to speculation and concerns about her well-being. The sudden withdrawal of Rybakina from the Toronto event further adds to the intrigue surrounding her current situation.
With Swiatek, Rybakina, and Krejcikova all out of the competition, the field in Toronto will surely look different. Fans and players alike will have to readjust their expectations and await new stars to emerge in the upcoming tournament. Despite the absence of these top players, the National Bank Open in Toronto promises to deliver exciting matches and unexpected results as the remaining competitors battle it out on the court.
