Iga Swiatek pulls out of Miami Open and Billie Jean King Cup with rib injury - 'A truly difficult call'
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/03/2023 at 07:47 GMT
The rib injury that seemed to be bothering Iga Swiatek during her Indian Wells semi-final defeat to Elena Rybakina has turned out to be more serious than first thought. The Polish world No. 1 has confirmed in a statement on social media that she will now have to miss the upcoming Miami Open as well as representing Poland at the Billie Jean King Cup. Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+.
Swiatek on Miami Open withdrawal: 'It's the smart move for me'
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has been forced to pull out of the upcoming Miami Open and Billie Jean King Cup with injury.
Swiatek revealed after her defeat to Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals of Indian Wells that she had been struggling with a rib complaint following an infection.
"You know that in and after Doha I was struggling with a strong infection," she wrote on social media.
"I was allowed to play, but a strong episode of a tough cough led to a rib injury. We were trying to handle it and continue to play as long as it was safe for me.
"We were analysing the data in the last days and my doctor prepared my diagnosis. Unfortunately, I'm still feeling a lot of pain and I can't compete. I need to take a break to recover and I have to pull out of the Miami Open and Billie Jean King Cup.
"I will keep you updated about where I play next because it depends on my process of recovering and the recommendation of my medical team. I have the best team behind me, we only need some time to deal with the injury.
"It's a truly difficult call to not play in Miami and BJKC, but health is the most important... I'm grateful this is the first health issue in a long time and I was able to compete in perfect shape for so long, but that's sports.
"It happens sometimes, without our control... time to accept it and get well as soon as possible."
The injury suffered by Swiatek raises serious concerns about whether she will be able to defend her French Open title that she won by defeating Coco Gauff 6-1 6-3 in the final at Roland-Garros in 2022.
The Billie Jean King Cup match against Rybakina and Kazakhstan is due to be played on April 10.
Between that date and the start of the French Open on May 29, there is one WTA 500 event (the Stuttgart Open) and two WTA 1000 events (the Madrid Open and the Italian Open).
Swiatek could theoretically miss those tournaments and still play at Roland-Garros, but it will be very tight if she does.
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