Sun | Apr 26, 2026

Swiatek withdraws from Madrid Open after falling ill in match

Published:Sunday | April 26, 2026 | 12:09 AM
Iga Swiatek of Poland returns the ball to Ann Li of the US during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid yesterday.
AP
Iga Swiatek of Poland returns the ball to Ann Li of the US during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid yesterday.

MADRID (AP):

Iga Swiatek withdrew from the Madrid Open due to an unspecified illness while playing her round-of-32 match against American Ann Li yesterday.

Li got the walkover win when the fourth-ranked Swiatek withdrew with Li winning 7-6 (4), 2-6, 3-0.

Swiatek, the 2024 Madrid champion, required a medical timeout while down 2-0 in the deciding set. She returned to the court but called it quits after Li held serve.

The Polish star beat Daria Snigur in straight sets in her second-round opener on Thursday.

Li, who is ranked 34, recorded a second career win over a top-10 opponent. She will face Leylah Fernandez in the round of 16.