Iga Swiatek withdraws from Adelaide due to injury; Australian Open in doubt

Polish tennis sensation Iga Swiatek has announced her withdrawal from the 2023 Adelaide International 2 tournament due to an injury.

Swiatek began her 2023 season at the United Cup. Expectations of the 21-year-old have been raised after a stunning 2022 that saw her dominate the WTA Tour in a manner that one expected at the start of that year.

The young star won two Grand Slams and seven tournaments, six of which came during a stunning 37-match winning streak from February until the third round of Wimbledon, establishing her as a force to be reckoned with.

Unsurprisingly, Swiatek was named the 2022 WTA Player of the Year after those outstanding efforts, beating other players to the award, like Jessica Pegula and teenage star Coco Gauff, who reached a maiden singles Grand Slam final last year.

Swiatek defeated Pegula four times in 2022, including during her runs to the French and US Open titles. After that streak of victories, it seemed that the Pole might be starting to develop a mental hold over Pegula.

However, Pegula responded by crushing Swiatek 6-2, 6-2, in the semifinal of the United Cup. The 28-year-old spoke afterward about the keys to that success, including the faster court. 

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Pegula deserves considerable praise for her performance. Swiatek would have found it challenging to overcome her regardless of how she felt on the court throughout the contest in Australia.

It has now come to light that Swiatek struggled with a physical issue in that contest. The injury is not believed to be serious, but the three-time Grand Slam champion does not want to take any chances before the Australian Open.

Swiatek has decided to withdraw from the Adelaide International 2 as a precaution. She should be fit for the Australian Open, but that is impossible to predict with absolute certainty.

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