The end of the grand slam season brings in the next biggest event in line. The WTA 1000 series as players look forward to one last push before ending the season. There are only two WTA 1000 events left on tour. The WTA Guadalajara 1000 will start on 17th September but has already been in the line of discussion. Many players have opted out from the event, as defending champion Jessica Pegula is also out this time.
The Guadalajara Open is held in Mexico and is known to be a tough surrounding for tennis players. The region is 5,000 feet above sea level. They are known to change the racket string pressure to adjust to the wind as the balls travel faster. With the high altitude, it also becomes difficult to catch a breath. Seven of the top ten players will be missing the event. Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff will also be missing the event.
If this is correct, may be the worst WTA 1000 of all time.
A big chance for everybody that decides to show up.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 14, 2023
Players tend to take a break after a grand slam or sometimes play warmup events but in friendly conditions. It is unclear when we can see Swiatek coming back on the court, as she has been struggling to make a comeback after the US Open exit. Gauff will be resting after a tough two-week stay in New York. Pegula has not mentioned any reason why she is skipping the event.
Eugenie Bouchard and Ajla Tomljanovic to be wildcard entries at Guadalajara Open
The chances of a new winner keep on increasing each day at the WTA Guadalajara 1000. The players are recovering from a tight, packed schedule. Although a major blow for the fans, the players will use this chance to take the big title for the first time. Eugenie Bouchard and Ajla Tomljanovic have been given wildcards at the Guadalajara Open. Tomljanovic has only played one match this season.
Bouchard has played 20 matches this season and has won 10 of them. She has not featured in a grand slam since 2020. The Canadian is coached by Rennae Stubbs, who has coached players like Samantha Stosur and Karolina Pliskova. Stubbs was in the coaching team of Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open. Bouchard can win a few matches at the Guadalajara Open to boost her rankings.
Hey @geniebouchard 🇨🇦, we’ve swapped our magic lamps hoping for a tennis star and voilà!
Welcome to Guadalajara! 🎾🌮#GDLOpenAKRONxSanntander | @WTA pic.twitter.com/Z5wDshHngx
— GDL OPEN AKRON WTA1000 (@WTAGuadalajara) September 14, 2023
Tomljanovic was out of tour for almost eight months season due to an injury. She played her first match of the season at the US Open and won the opening match. The Australian issued a walkover in the next match. Bouchard and Tomljanovic will need to combat high altitude conditions at Guadalajara but will have a much smoother draw than the rest of the events due to the absence of the top players.
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