“Probably they are going to kill us in some way,” Carlos Alcaraz said during the Laver Cup amid a tiring schedule. The ATP and the WTA players have often complained about the grueling schedule that has significantly affected the players’ physical and mental health. With the four Grand Slam tournaments done and dusted, we are toward the fag end of the season during the Asian swing. Amid the hectic schedule, there are often several withdrawals in this part of the calendar. However, the absentees seem to have reached a shocking figure this time around as the likes of Danielle Collins and Emma Raducanu joined a lengthy list of stars that will not make it to the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing.
Earlier today, the list of withdrawals from the WTA Beijing went viral on social media. As many as 17 players have pulled out of the tournament due to varied reasons. Apart from Raducanu and Collins, some of the top names in this list included Iga Swiatek, Sloane Stephens, Victoria Azarenka, Elena Rybakina, and Ons Jabeur.
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Which player’s withdrawal from the China Open shocked you the most?
Iga Swiatek
Elena Rybakina
Karolina Muchova
Belinda Bencic
What do you think makes Roger Federer so intimidating on the court?
His mental toughness
His charisma
His experience
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How do you feel about Emma Raducanu pulling out of the China Open?
Disappointed
Understandable due to injury
Frustrated
Indifferent
Do you agree with Andy Roddick’s defense of Novak Djokovic’s controversial default?
Absolutely
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While Emma Raducanu pulled out from the WTA Beijing due to a fresh injury setback, Collins cited an illness behind her absenteeism from the tournament. It is the American star’s final year on the tour and she was looking to cap it off on a positive note. However, the WTA Beijing withdrawal is a step backward in this regard and she will look forward to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals which will be her last tournament.
As for Raducanu, it is a fresh setback for her after making a comeback earlier this year. She missed a majority of the 2023 season due to wrist and ankle surgery and looks like the horrors of the past are haunting her again.
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The British sensation was due to play in Beijing and entered the main draw, facing a qualifier in the opening round. However, she announced a shocking withdrawal due to her latest injury setback which has further added insult to injury.
Explaining her situation, Emma Raducanu said, “Hello, last week in Seoul i sprained some ligaments in my foot which unfortunately need some more time to heal. It means i can’t play in Beijing but I hope to be back competing as soon as i can.”
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However, this isn’t the first big tournament that Raducanu has missed this season. Earlier this year, she even withdrew from the French Open and 4 other Masters tournaments. Injuries weren’t the only reason for her absence as she also chose not to play in the qualifying rounds of some tournaments, which frustrated many fans.
Nonetheless, a Grand Slam winner once, Emma Raducanu needs to get back to her physical best if she is to succeed in a highly competitive WTA circuit. Can she make a strong comeback later this season? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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