The six-time Grand Slam champion announced her withdrawal on Tuesday, 20 October, after struggling with the injury in recent weeks. The decision comes just days after she suffered a 7-5, 6-1 defeat to compatriot Maja Chwalińska in the Wuhan Open semi-finals.
Świątek needed to reach at least the quarter-finals in Ningbo to retain a chance of securing the final qualifying place for the season-ending championship. Her withdrawal means she can no longer qualify directly.
Świątek prioritises recovery
The Polish star explained that she had been dealing with the problem for several weeks and decided that resting was the best course of action.
“After careful consideration, I've decided to withdraw from the tournament,” Świątek said in a statement released by the Ningbo Open.
“I've been experiencing an ongoing problem with my left thigh over the past weeks and I feel that giving myself the time to rest and recover is the right decision.”
Her injury was evident during the Wuhan semi-final, where she required medical treatment and played with her left thigh bandaged. Although she completed the match, she struggled to move freely as Chwalińska took control.
The withdrawal allows Świątek to focus on recovery rather than risk aggravating the problem during the final weeks of the season.
WTA Finals qualification hopes suffer setback
Świątek has competed at every edition of the WTA Finals since 2021 and won the title in 2023. However, her place in this year's eight-player field is now in doubt.
Seven places have been confirmed, leaving one direct qualification spot still available. Czech player Karolína Muchová currently occupies the final qualifying position, while Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk remains in contention.
Muchová is not competing in Ningbo, but Kostyuk can still challenge for the place through her results at the Chinese tournament and next week's Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
Świątek, meanwhile, could still attend the Finals as one of two alternates if selected, but she cannot secure direct qualification.
A challenging season for the Polish star
The injury setback comes during a difficult year for Świątek, who has won only one tournament in 2026 and failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals at any of the four Grand Slam events.
Despite those struggles, the former world number one remains one of the leading players on the WTA Tour. Her immediate priority, however, is to recover fully and avoid carrying the injury into the next season.
Her absence from Ningbo also opens up the draw for the remaining contenders as the battle for the last WTA Finals place intensifies.
What happens next?
Świątek's withdrawal has removed her final opportunity to qualify directly for the season-ending championship. Attention now turns to Kostyuk's results in Ningbo and Tokyo, which could determine whether Muchová retains the last qualifying position.
For Świątek, the focus shifts to rehabilitation and recovery, with her potential participation as an alternate dependent on the circumstances surrounding the Finals.
The Polish star will hope that time away from competition allows her to return to full fitness after a frustrating end to her 2026 campaign.