Karolina Muchova Withdraws From Italian Open After Recurrence Of Chronic Injury

Karolina Muchova has endured yet another injury setback and pulled out of the 2025 Italian Open in Rome.

Muchova is one of the best players to watch on the WTA or WTA Tour. She routinely dazzles audiences during matches with her combination of powerful hitting, slices, and drop shots.

Unfortunately, Muchova is also one of the most injury-prone players in tennis. The 28-year-old would almost certainly have achieved more during her career had she not been dealing with consistent physical issues.

One of her most prominent injuries was a wrist problem that ruled her out from the end of the 2023 US Open until the start of the 2024 grass-court season, a layoff of close to nine months.

Muchova made an outstanding return to the sport after so long out. Her achievements included finishing as the runner-up to Coco Gauff at the 2024 China Open and reaching the 2024 US Open semifinal.

She also started 2025 positively with semifinal runs at the Linz Open and Dubai Championships. Muchova's results since making a comeback during the 2024 grass-court season have allowed her to re-enter the Top 20.

Sadly, Muchova's troublesome wrist has led to another absence from the WTA Tour. The former world No. 8's most recent match was a round of 32 defeat against Elina Svitolina at the 2025 Miami Open in March.

She missed the first few weeks of the clay-court season, but hoped to be fit for the ongoing Italian Open. Lucia Bronzetti would have been the Czech's opponent in the opening round of the prestigious tournament.

Muchova made a late decision to withdraw from the event in Rome. Her match with Bronzetti was going to be on Centre Court, and fans were undoubtedly disappointed to miss seeing her in action.

The Italian fans still got an opportunity to watch their home player, Bronzetti, face Muchova's replacement, Laura Siegemund, on Centre Court. While Siegemund is a great competitor, the match probably would have been more entertaining with Muchova's involvement.

Hopefully, Muchova will finally get some injury luck when she returns. Her run to the 2023 French Open final, including narrowly losing an incredible battle against Iga Swiatek. showed what she could achieve if consistently fit.

Muchova was not the only player who withdrew from the Italian Open. Petra Kvitova and Paula Badosa also pulled out of the event, which was another blow for the tournament organizers, who want the top players competing at the event.

Kvitova and Badosa's withdrawals were particularly disappointing because they prevented two blockbuster matchups. Naomi Osaka was going to play Badosa in a match that would have attracted much attention, but the Japanese player instead played and beat Viktorija Golubic.

Ons Jabeur would have been Kvitova's opponent. Although the Tunisian has struggled for consistent form since losing the 2023 Wimbledon final to Marketa Vondrousova, she remains among the most entertaining players in the world.

Muchova, Kvitova, and Badosa are great players who are superb to watch. They will do their best to be fit for the 2025 French Open, even though Badosa has accepted she will retire young due to her chronic back problem.