The final WTA-500 event of 2024 takes place in Tokyo at the Pan Pacific Open. Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng and 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu are among the players in the draw. The tournament has also been weakened by the withdrawal of ten players. This article names those who have decided not to play and then names their replacements in the draw.
Ten Players Withdraw From Pan Pacific Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Home hero and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal was the most significant blow to the Pan Pacific Open. She is still recovering from a back injury sustained at the China Open against Coco Gauff. Osaka is on Japan’s team for next month’s Billie Jean King Cup finals, but it is unclear whether she will be fit in time.
Jessica Pegula was the highest-ranked player to withdraw from the Pan Pacific Open. This year’s US Open runner-up has already qualified for the WTA Finals and may be worried about sustaining an injury if she plays too much. She also made a late decision not to play at the Korea Open earlier in the Asian swing.
Emma Navarro was the second American to withdraw from the Pan Pacific Open. The US Open semifinalist could not play at the Ningbo Open due to an illness. That ended her hopes of qualifying for the WTA Finals, which may have reduced the incentive to compete in Tokyo.
Danielle Collins also decided not to compete in the event. She could not play throughout the Asian swing because of an illness. The 2022 Australian Open runner-up generated attention this week after reversing her decision to retire at the end of the 2024 season.
Teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva was another high-profile withdrawal from the Pan Pacific Open. She reached the first WTA-500 final of her career at this week’s Ningbo Open and understandably wants to rest after those efforts in East China.
Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, Donna Vekic, Maria Sakkari, Marta Kostyuk, and Elise Mertens were the other players who withdrew.
Who Replaces Those Players in the Draw?
Viktoriya Tomova will hope to take advantage of being Osaka’s replacement in Tokyo. The Bulgarian won just three games in a crushing defeat to Suzan Lamens at the Japan Women’s Open a few days ago and needs to play much better to have a chance of going far in the Japanese capital.
Xinyu Wang enters the draw after Pegula’s decision to withdraw from the Pan Pacific Open. The 23-year-old had an impressive run to the Wuhan Open semifinal, ironically beating Pegula during that run and at Wimbledon in July.
Moyuka Uchijima replaces Navarro at the Pan Pacific Open. Uchihima will play in front of her home fans in Tokyo, which often inspires players. The 23-year-old is a gritty competitor and could pose a challenge to any player in the draw.
Magdalena Frech benefits from Collins’ electing not to play at the final WTA-500 tournament of the season. 2024 has been the best season of the Pole’s career, most notably winning last month’s Guadalajara Open.
Elisabetta Cocciaretto is also set to feature in Tokyo in place of Andreeva. The Italian suffered a surprising defeat to Aoi Ito at the Japan Women’s Open in Osaka and will hope to respond strongly after that setback.
Katie Boulter, Veronika Kudermetova, Varvara Gracheva, and Ajla Tomljanovic were the other players to enter the draw. A lucky loser will replace Mertens at the Pan Pacific Open.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
