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Swiatek ends 'most demanding' season of career

Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek has concluded her 2026 season early, marking the first time since 2021 she has failed to win a major title. The Polish star, now ranked ninth globally, withdrew from the Ningbo Open due to a thigh injury and subsequently announced her retirement from competition until 2027.

Despite a strong start to the year, including a WTA 1,000 victory at the Canadian Open in August, Świątek’s season has been overshadowed by inconsistency and physical strain. She reached just one Grand Slam quarterfinal and missed out on qualifying for the WTA Finals for the first time since 2019, finishing with a 42-16 record.

Her decision comes after a period of transition, including a coaching change earlier this year, as she seeks to recover both physically and mentally ahead of the Australian Open in January, where she could complete her career Grand Slam. Świątek’s emotional moments on court, including a recent loss to Maja Chwalińska in the Wuhan Open semifinals, underscored the toll of recent seasons, with the 25-year-old emphasizing the need for extended rest to rebuild her game.

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