Madrid, Spain — In a stunning turn of events at the Mutua Madrid Open, world No. 4 Iga Swiatek retired from her second-round match against Ann Li due to illness, handing the American a significant career victory and shaking up the women’s draw.
The match, played on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Arantxa Sanchez Stadium in Madrid, began with Swiatek dropping the first set in a tight tiebreak, 7-6 (4). She responded strongly in the second set, winning it 6-2 to level the match. However, as the third set commenced, Swiatek struggled visibly under the hot conditions in Madrid, falling behind 3-0 after Li held serve at love.
After taking a medical timeout down 0-2 in the deciding set, Swiatek returned to the court but retired a few points into the fourth game. According to tournament officials and match reports, she cited a gastrointestinal illness as the reason for her withdrawal. A doctor had checked her vitals courtside before she made the decision to stop play.
At the time of retirement, the score stood at 7-6 (4), 2-6, 3-0 in favor of Li. The victory marked Li’s second career top-10 win and her highest-ranked victory to date, surpassing her win over Anett Kontaveit at the 2022 Miami Open. Li, ranked world No. 34, had saved two set points in the opening set tiebreak to edge Swiatek before the Pole fought back in the second.
The retirement came as a major surprise given Swiatek’s recent form. She had entered the tournament as the 2024 champion and had won her opening match against Daria Snigur 6-1, 6-2 in dominant fashion. Her early exit opens the draw significantly, particularly in the absence of other top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, who withdrew earlier in the week due to injuries.
For Li, the win propels her into the round of 16 at a WTA-1000 event for the second time in her career, following her appearance in Doha earlier in 2026. She is set to face Leylah Fernandez in the fourth round, a matchup that could see her continue her recent surge against top-tier opposition.
Swiatek’s withdrawal raises immediate concerns about her readiness for the upcoming French Open, where she is a two-time defending champion. While no official timeline for her return has been provided, the nature of her illness — described as gastrointestinal — suggests she may need several days to recover fully before resuming training and competition.
The incident also highlights the physical toll of the current clay-court swing, with several players citing heat and humidity as contributing factors to fatigue and discomfort during matches in Madrid this week. Tournament referees confirmed that medical staff were present throughout the match and followed standard protocols when Swiatek requested attention.
As the women’s draw continues without one of its biggest names, all eyes will be on how the remaining players adapt to the sudden shift in momentum. For Archysport.com, we will continue to monitor Swiatek’s recovery and provide updates as they turn into available from official sources.
Stay tuned for the latest developments from the Mutua Madrid Open and share your thoughts in the comments below.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/04/16/3950335-80220408-2560-1440.png)
