Iga Swiatek’s struggles continued at the Madrid Open as the Polish star retired in tears during her third-round match against Ann Li, marking another disappointing exit in a season marked by inconsistency and health issues.
The world No. 2 was forced to withdraw from her WTA 1000 clash with the American qualifier after losing the first set in a tie-break, winning the second set 6-2, then falling behind 0-3 in the deciding set. Swiatek requested a medical timeout at the start of the third set to have her vital signs checked before ultimately deciding she could not continue.
According to match reports, Swiatek appeared to be struggling physically from the outset, committing a series of unforced errors and failing to capitalize on early opportunities. She had two set points at 6-5 in the first set but failed to convert either, eventually losing the tie-break 7-4.
She responded strongly in the second set, breaking Li’s serve twice to win 6-2 and level the match. However, at the beginning of the third set, Swiatek called for the physiotherapist and was seen undergoing a medical evaluation. After failing to break in the opening game and falling to 0-30, she approached the umpire to announce her retirement.
The decision left the 24-year-old in tears as she walked off the Court Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, shaking hands with Li before leaving the stadium. The Polish player had been a two-time finalist at the Madrid Open, winning the title in 2022 and reaching the final again in 2023, making this early exit particularly painful.
Li, ranked outside the top 100, improved her record against top-10 players to 2-11 with the victory, having previously defeated Anett Kontaveit in Miami in 2022. The win marked one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far.
Swiatek’s retirement adds to a growing list of concerns about her form and physical condition this season. She had opened the tournament with a dominant win over Darja Snigur but was unable to build on that momentum. Her struggles have been evident across multiple events, with inconsistent results and visible frustration on court.
The Madrid Open, held annually at the Caja Mágica in Spain, has traditionally been a strong venue for Swiatek. Prior to this year, she had reached at least the quarterfinals in all four of her previous appearances, including her title run in 2022 and finalist showing in 2023. This third-round retirement represents her worst performance at the event to date.
Medical evaluations during matches are not uncommon on the WTA Tour, particularly when players exhibit signs of distress or illness. Swiatek’s request to have her vitals checked suggests the retirement was precautionary, though no official diagnosis has been released by her team or tournament officials.
The incident drew immediate reaction on social media, with journalists and fans expressing concern for the player’s well-being. A widely shared tweet from match observer José Morgado noted that Swiatek “was feeling sick” and had received medical attention before retiring, adding that her poor performance earlier in the match could be explained by her condition.
As of now, Swiatek has not issued a public statement regarding her withdrawal or her plans moving forward. Her next scheduled appearance has not been confirmed, though she is expected to grab time to recover and reassess ahead of the upcoming European clay-court swing, which includes the Italian Open in Rome and preparations for Roland Garros.
For Li, the victory propels her into the fourth round of a WTA 1000 event for the first time in her career, a significant milestone for the 25-year-old American. She will now face the winner of the match between Madison Keys and her upcoming opponent, continuing her unexpected run in Madrid.
The Madrid Open continues as one of the premier clay-court events on the WTA calendar, serving as a key tune-up for the French Open. Swiatek’s early departure opens up the draw significantly, altering the trajectory of what was expected to be a deep run by one of the tournament’s top seeds.
Archysport will continue to monitor Swiatek’s condition and provide updates as they become available from official sources.
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