Iga Swiatek withdrew from the Bad Homburg Open on Friday, June 30, 2023. She was supposed to play against American Alison Riske in the semi-final match. Swiatek cited fever and possible food poisoning as the reasons for her withdrawal.
Prior to her withdrawal, Swiatek had been on a 37-match winning streak, the longest in women’s tennis since Serena Williams in 2013. She had been aiming to win her sixth consecutive title. However, her illness now raises doubts about her participation in Wimbledon, which begins next week.
Expressing her disappointment, Swiatek stated that she was “really sad” to have to pull out of the tournament. She emphasized the importance of listening to her body and taking care of herself. She wished Riske “all the best” in the final.
As a result of Swiatek’s withdrawal, Alison Riske will now face Garbiñe Muguruza, the 2017 Wimbledon champion, in the final.
The duration of Swiatek’s absence from the sport remains uncertain. She mentioned that she would assess her condition and see how she feels in the upcoming days.
While Swiatek’s withdrawal is a setback for the women’s tour, it serves as a reminder that even the top players in the world can be affected by illness.
