The Zhengzhou Open 2023, a WTA 500 event has attracted a lot of top players from around the world to take part in it. This is mainly due to the points on offer at the tournament and the fact that it could out to be the ideal preparation for the WTA Finals. The event has returned to the city after 2019, as the editions in between couldn’t be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was previously held as an ITF tournament, before becoming a WTA 125 event and subsequently in the last edition was classified as a WTA Premier event. People had high expectations of the event, as many of the top players were gunning for the title. But, to the dismay of the spectators, a few of them have withdrawn at the last hour, citing injury concerns.
One of them is none other than the top seed and the reigning US Open champion, Coco Gauff. She has enjoyed a productive run in the 2023 season, having a win-loss record of 49-14 in 63 outings. She even enjoyed a 16-match winning streak, that was snapped at the semi-finals of the China Open where she lost to eventual champion, Iga Swiatek. It was the most for any player this season.
Coco Gauff has withdrawn from Zhengzhou.
After winning a Grand Slam & stringing together a 16 match win streak, she probably wants some rest.
Next stop… WTA Finals. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2TRTPQZCHF
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 8, 2023
The American was supposed to take part in the Zhengzhou Open and was even drawn as the top seed. However, she had to withdraw from the tournament due to a shoulder injury, indications of which were visible in her semi-final loss at the China Open. Next up for Coco Gauff would be the WTA finals in Cancun. She is the third seed at the event in which she failed to qualify beyond the group stage in 2022.
Player participation at the Zhengzhou Open gets haunted further owing to injuries
If Coco’s pullout wasn’t big enough, another big name and second seed, Elena Rybakina has also withdrawn owing to sickness. Elena had to endure poor scheduling on the part of WTA, as she went through a spree of tough outings. At the Cincinnati Open, she gave a walkover due to extreme heat, while at the Canadian Open, she was virtually made to play two matches on the same day.
Elena Rybakina calls out WTA leadership for poor scheduling in Kasatkina marathon:
“It’s the 1st time & hopefully the last. I think it’s a bit unprofessional.. Most important is WTA here. Leadership is a bit weak for now. Hopefully something changes.. I fell asleep at 5 a.m.” pic.twitter.com/CpUdkJ86kz
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 13, 2023
As if this wasn’t enough, she was forced to withdraw from the Japan Open, owing to fatigue. A sick Rybakina had quoted, “Well, for sure I’m focusing now just to play a little bit more matches because unfortunately I got sick again, and maybe no one knew it….”. She added that it is due to this reason, that she would like to recover better and focus on the WTA Finals.
Elena Rybakina had also taken part in the China Open where she lost to Liudmila Samsonova in the semi-finals. Her deep run at the event in Beijing could also have impacted the decision since it would have taken a toll on her body. Another top player who has pulled out after the draw was made is the fifth seed, Karolina Muchova. She cited recurring discomfort in her right wrist.
{Credits – The Guardian, The New Daily}
The pull-outs at the Zhengzhou Open were predominantly due to injuries. But, it could also be put down as a precautionary measure by players to not aggravate their physical condition, considering the WTA Finals is fast approaching. Therefore, WTA should take note of this fact and schedule tournaments in a better manner to avoid such spates in the future.