Karolina Muchova withdraws from maiden WTA finals due to injury, Maria Sakkari takes her place
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ByEurosport
Updated 24/10/2023 at 10:05 GMT
Karolina Muchova has had an impressive 2023 campaign, reaching the French Open final in June and the Cincinnati Open final in August. However, her season has come to an abrupt end due to a wrist injury that has plagued her since a semi-final exit to Coco Gauff at the US Open in September. Muchova has confirmed on social media that she will not be competing at the 2023 WTA finals in Mexico.
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Karolina Muchova has withdrawn from what would have been her first WTA finals due to injury.
The world No. 8 reached the final of the French Open earlier this year - earning rave reviews - and the Cincinnati Open final in August, but has struggled with a wrist injury for the latter half of the season.
Muchova has not played a competitive match since losing to Coco Gauff - who also beat her in Cincinnati - in the US Open semi-finals in September.
In a statement on Instagram, Muchova said she has "tried everything" to be ready for the season-ending tournament in Cancun, but has not recovered in time to compete in Mexico.
"I am heartbroken to announce that I will miss my first WTA Finals in Cancun,” the Czech star wrote.
"Together with the team and doctors we tried everything till the last moments to resolve my wrist injury.
"Unfortunately, the time needed for the recovery is longer than we would’ve hoped for and therefore I had to make this unpleasant decision.
"I greatly appreciate the support of all the fans. I will do my best to be back in 2024 and get another chance to be part of the WTA finals."
Maria Sakkari, who finished the WTA Race to Cancun in ninth place, will now feature at the tournament for the third year in a row. Sakkari finished as runner-up in 2021 and 2022.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, four-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek and US Open champion Gauff, 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula are all set to feature at the WTA finals.
World No. 7 Ons Jabeur and world No. 6 Marketa Vondrousova are both injury doubts.
Jabeur withdrew from Zhengzhou Open at the quarter-final stage two weeks ago with a knee injury, while Wimbledon champion Vondrousova has only played once since a quarter-final exit to Madison Keys at this year's US Open.
As well as the WTA finals trophy being up for grabs, Sabalenka and Swiatek will battle it out for the world No. 1 ranking in Mexico.
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