Unfortunately for Korean fans, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the event, joining the ranks of Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, and Emma Navarro as the latest players to do so.

The 2004 WTA event in Korea is being held as a WTA 500 tournament for the first time, having been upgraded from a WTA 250 competition. Swiatek’s withdrawal from the Korea Open in its first-ever WTA 500 edition is yet another major setback for the event. The top 13-ranked player in the world, Daria Kasatkina, would be the first seed in the WTA 500 tournament, meaning that the top 10 players are no longer present.

Pegula, a finalist at the 2024 US Open, had to withdraw due to a rib injury. Karolina Pliskova, the 2014 Korea Open champion, is recovering from a leg injury, though.

Swiatek reportedly still hasn’t recovered from her fatigue following her loss in the quarterfinals of the US Open. The famous Polish star has long expressed dissatisfaction with the rigorous schedule, and it appears that she has now decided to set her own hours.

Swiatek told the organizing committee: “My physical condition has not yet returned to normal since the US Open. I cannot go to Seoul. Please understand that I have no choice but to change my schedule. I definitely want to visit Seoul next year and play a great match in front of Korean fans.”

Iga Swiatek in 2024

At the moment ranked no.1, Swiatek played her last match on the 4^th of September when she lost to world no.3 Jessica Pegula 6-2 6-4 in the quarter of the U.S. Open (draw).

At present, during this year Swiatek has an overall 59-8 record. Swiatek has won 6 titles in 2024 in Australia, Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid, Rome and French Open.

Swiatek is scheduled to play next in Seoul (Korea Open). She will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 16th of September.

Jessica Pegula in 2024

Currently the world no.3 (career-high), the American played her last match on the 7^th

of September when she surrendered to world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-5 in the final of the U.S. Open (draw).

Until now, during this year the American achieved an overall 36-12 match record. Pegula has won 2 titles in 2024 in Berlin and Toronto. Jessica got to the final in Cincinnati and U.S. Open.

Pegula is scheduled to compete next in Seoul (Korea Open). She will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 16th of September.

Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula clashed against each other 10 times. Their current record is 6-4 for Swiatek. The last time they squared off, Jessica Pegula won 6-2 6-4 in the quarter in New York (U.S. Open) on the 4^th of September 2024.

Here the video highlights.

Elena Rybakina in 2024

Now the world no.4, the Kazakhstani played her last match on the 27^th of August when she beat world no.180 Destanee Aiava 6-1 7-6(1) in the 1^st round in the U.S. Open (draw).

During this season the Kazakhstani has a 41-9 match record. Elena clinched 3 titles in 2024 in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi and Stuttgart. The Kazakhstani was the runner-up in Doha and in Miami.