The 2023 Miami Open will officially have a new women’s champion after world no1 and the reigning champion Iga Swiatek withdrew due to injury.
The top-seed announced the decision on her social media platforms.
“You know that in and after Doha I was struggling with a strong infection,” Swiatek wrote.
“I was allowed to play, but a strong episode of 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 analyzing the data in the last days and my doctor prepared my diagnosis”.
“Unfortunately, I’m still feeling a lot of discomfort and pain and I can’t compete.”
The Pole did not look like herself in her previous match against Elena Rybakina in the semifinal of the Indian Wells which raised concerns regarding her fitness.
Swiatek may be on the sidelines for a while as she added that the injury would also keep her out of Poland’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan in mid-April.
“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”.
The 2023 Miami Open was already missing some big names before Iga Swiatek withdrew to divest the tournament of star quality even further.
