Iga Swiatek has left tennis fans heartbroken after withdrawing from her title defence at the Miami Open before her opening match. The World No.1 was scheduled to begin her campaign against American player Claire Liu, but announced on Wednesday that she had been forced to withdraw due to a rib injury.
Swiatek revealed at Indian Wells that she was struggling with the ailment and flagged the possibility that she wouldn’t be able to back-up in Miami. The Polish star confirmed the sad news on Wednesday.
“You know that in and after Doha I was struggling with a strong infection,” she told reporters. “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 analysing 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.”
