It is unfortunate after her outstanding 2023 season that Karolina Muchova had to withdraw from the WTA Finals event in Cancun.
The WTA Finals features the top eight players in the world, and it was the first time Muchova qualified.
Muchova’s wrist has been giving her trouble, and as she explained when she withdrew, her doctors and team did everything possible to get her healthy enough to play.
BREAKING:
Karolina Muchova has withdrawn from the WTA Finals. Maria Sakkari will replace her in the tournament.
“I am heartbroken to announce that I will miss my first WTA Finals in Cancun.
Together with the team & doctors we tried everything till the last moments to resolve… pic.twitter.com/Uq4Im3SdXu— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 24, 2023
Her game is so pleasant to watch and has very few weaknesses as evidenced by her appearance in the French Open final and US Open semifinals this year.
Persistent injuries are the biggest obstacles preventing Muchova from achieving tennis greatness.
We hope she is able to fully recover and come back in 2024 better than ever.
Taking her place is the first alternate and veteran of the WTA Finals, Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari.
See you in Cancun, @mariasakkari 🏝️
Sakkari will make her third consecutive appearance at the @WTAFinals, replacing Muchova who has had to withdraw due to injury.#WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/LWZ6JJLDNo
— wta (@WTA) October 24, 2023
This will be Sakkari’s third straight appearance at the WTA Finals.
Sakkari had a disappointing season in the Grand Slams but finished the season with a tournament win last month in Guadalajara.
Maria Sakkari after winning Guadalajara:
“I’m so happy to be a part of this group of people, to be here every year, to celebrate with you guys. With all of you. This is my 2nd home. Thank you so much.”
Crowd chants *Maria! Maria!* 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/b2AsNBDDJX
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 24, 2023
She was a fan-favorite in Guadalajara so she could get the same warm Mexican reception in Cancun.
The updated list of singles players is as follows:
1. Aryna Sabalenka
2. Iga Swiatek
3. Coco Gauff
4. Elena Rybakina
5. Jessica Pegula
6. Marketa Vondrousova
7. Ons Jabeur
8. Maria Sakkari
The WTA Finals take place from October 29 through November 5, 2023.
Whoever is crowned champion will be a first-time winner of this event.
Ashleigh Barty, Garbine Muguruza, and Caroline Garcia are the most recent champions of the event in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
Aryna Sabalenka was the runner-up in 2022.
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