Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, was forced to withdraw from the 2023 Miami Open ahead of the second round due to a rib injury.
The Polish tennis player is scheduled to face the host, Claire Liu in the second round of the Miami Open after receiving a bye in the first round.
“You know that in and after Doha, I was battling a pretty strong infection. I was cleared to fight, but after a period with a cough bad enough to cause a rib injury. We’re trying to deal with it and keep playing as long as it’s safe for me. We analyzed the data in the last few days and my doctor prepared my diagnosis,” explained Iga Swiatek.
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“Unfortunately, I still have a lot of discomfort and pain, so I can’t compete. It was a real call off to play in Miami, but health is the most important thing. I feel grateful that this is my first health problem in quite a while and that I have been able to maintain perfect shape for such a long time, but this is sport. This sometimes happens, without our control. Now is the time to accept it and improve as soon as possible.”
The injury bothered the Polish tennis player during the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last week against the Kazakh national, Elena Rybakina who eventually won the tournament. His efforts to defend his title at Indian Wells were dashed.
The world number 1 revealed after her match against Rybakina that she had been complaining of a rib problem followed by an infection.
“I gave everything I had but Elena was the better player,” Swiatek said after his semi-final loss to Indian Wells.
“I felt uncomfortable and had pain in my ribs. It’s quite challenging for me to compete at the highest level now I just have to consult with my medical team and I’ll use the next few days to recover.”
He will also miss the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan on April 14-15 in Astana.
Last season, Swiatek did not drop a set en route to winning the Miami Open. She also became the fifth woman to win titles at Indian Wells and Miami in the same season. The place she left off in this season’s edition will be replaced by lucky loser from Austria, Julia Grabher.
