The penultimate WTA 1000 tournament of the year takes place in Guadalajara. The 2022 edition produced much excellent tennis, with Jessica Pegula beating Maria Sakkari to win the title. However, the player list for the tournament is very different this year. There have been several withdrawals from the Guadalajara Open 1000, including from many of the biggest names in women’s tennis. This article gives five of the players who have elected not to play, and their five replacements.
Five Players Withdraw From the Guadalajara Open 1000
Players Who Have Withdrawn
Iga Swiatek is one of the biggest names to withdraw from the Guadalajara Open 1000. The Pole said the following in a part of a statement: “I need to listen to my body and as the season is very intense- our #1 priority is to play it until the end in good health and plan it wisely so we wouldn’t risk an injury.” Swiatek, who was shocked by Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open, will next play in Tokyo.
Elena Rybakina is another Grand Slam champion to miss the Guadalajara Open 1000. Rybakina was upset by Sorana Cirstea at Flushing Meadows. She was photographed recently in Europe. This led to rumors that the 2022 Wimbledon champion would not be involved in the WTA 1000 tournament, and that has proven to be true.
Daria Kasatkina is the third player to withdraw. The 26-year-old is enjoying another solid season, currently only just outside the Top 10. She reached the fourth round at the US Open, losing to eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka. Kasatkina still has an outside chance of making the WTA Finals, and will now need strong results in the Asian swing.
Marie Bouzkova will also be absent from the Guadalajara Open 1000. The former Wimbledon quarterfinalist came close to shocking Ons Jabeur at Flushing Meadows. Bouzkova reached the semifinals in Guadalajara last year. Yet the scheduling means she is another player to miss the tournament.
Rebeka Masarova is another player not on the Guadalajara Open 1000 player list. The Spaniard last played at the US Open, where she shocked Maria Sakkari in the first round. Masarova is also currently at a career-high ranking of #65. She hopes the decision to rest for the Asian swing helps to bring further success.
Who Replaces Those Five Players in the Draw?
Dayana Yastremska benefits from the withdrawal of Swiatek. The Ukrainian has struggled in recent years, and is outside the Top 100 as a result. She now has the opportunity to use a debut appearance in Guadalajara to reverse her ailing fortunes, and show some of the form that previously took her close to the Top 20.
Taylor Townsend enters the Guadalajara Open 1000 draw due to Rybakina’s absence. The American had a memorable win at her home Grand Slam a few weeks ago against Beatriz Haddad Maia. The current #104 will hope for a good run to take her inside the Top 100.
Another American has come into the draw after Kasatkina’s decision. That is talented 19-year-old Robin Montgomery. She made her second-ever Grand Slam appearance at this year’s US Open, but was comfortably defeated by Eva Lys. A better level is needed to cause any upsets in Guadalajara.
Bouzkova’s withdrawal means Emiliana Arango will play at the Guadalajara Open 1000. The Colombian has not made any main-draw Grand Slam appearances. Yet the very high number of withdrawals has given her the chance to compete at a WTA 1000 event. It will be interesting to observe whether she grasps the opportunity.
Finally, Kristina Mladenovic is among the players at the Guadalajara Open 1000 due to Masarova withdrawing. The Frenchwoman is a French Open quarterfinalist, but she has struggled far more in recent seasons. The 30-year-old is seeking inspiration to rediscover her best level. Perhaps Masarova’s withdrawal could give her the chance to find it.
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
