In a surprising turn of events, Iga Świątek, the current WTA World No. 1, has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin. This decision comes as a result of both physical and mental fatigue following an intense clay-court season.
Exhaustion After a Grueling Schedule
Świątek cited the need for rest and recovery after a demanding nine-week stretch of competition. „Due to overall physical and mental exhaustion after an intense nine weeks, I unfortunately have to withdraw from the Berlin tournament to rest and regenerate,” Świątek explained in an official statement released by the tournament organizers. The Polish tennis star has played 49 matches so far this season, significantly more than her top-ranked competitors, which underscores her need for a break.
Impact on Grass-Court Season
The Berlin tournament was set to mark Świątek’s debut on grass this season, an essential part of her preparation for Wimbledon. Historically, grass has been a more challenging surface for Świątek compared to clay and hard courts. Last year, she showed significant improvement on grass, and Berlin was supposed to serve as an important stepping stone before the All England Club’s prestigious event. However, with her withdrawal, Świątek will now miss both the Berlin and Bad Homburg tournaments, potentially losing some ranking points but maintaining her lead over rivals Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka.
Eyes on Wimbledon
Despite the setback, Świątek remains the favorite for Wimbledon, where she will return to the court on July 1st. Her decision to prioritize rest underscores her strategic approach to sustaining top performance levels throughout the season. Fans will eagerly await her return, hoping to see the Polish sensation in peak form at one of tennis’s most revered tournaments.
