By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Iga Swiatek officially withdrew from the Miami Open due to a rib injury she aggravated in Indian Wells last week.
Photo credit: Getty
MIAMI—Iga Swiatek's Miami reign is done.
World No. 1 Swiatek officially withdrew from the Miami Open today citing a rib injury she aggravated in Indian Wells.
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Meeting the media in Miami, Swiatek said the pain "is not bad," she doesn't anticipate an extended break and noted the rib issue impacts her most on serve.
"Well, [I feel it] little bit when I served, but that's probably because that's like the toughest movement probably. But, no, it's not bad," Swiatek said. "I can do, like, many stuff. The break is not going to be long if everything goes well.
"I'm not concerned and it's not that kind of pain. It's not a big pain, honestly. It's just that I know I can make it worse if I play."
Earlier, Swiatek said in a statement posted on social media an infection she suffered in Doha last month caused a chronic cough that created the rib issue.
The reigning US Open champion also withdrew from upcoming Billie Jean King Cup competition.
"Unfortunately, I'm still feeling a lot of discomfort and pain and I can't compete," Swiatek said. "I need to take a break to recover and I have to pull out of the Miami Open and Billie Jean King Cup.
"I will keep you updated about where I play next because it depends on the process of recovering and the recommendation of my medical team."
The withdrawal is not a shock as Swiatek said she was uncertain of her Miami Open status following her BNP Paribas Open semifinal loss to Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina.
The top-seeded Swiatek revealed the rib issue after her 6-2, 6-2 loss to Rybakina last week.
“I'm also like not feeling 100 percent physically," Swiatek said. "I have a little like discomfort in my rib, and we're going to consult with medical team. For sure I'm gonna use these days off before Miami, so actually I have one more day.”
Asked to elaborate on the injury in Indian Wells, Swiatek told the media she wasn't sure of the severity.
“In terms of the rib, we'll see, because I still have to run some tests and see what's going on. I don't know yet,” she said.
A year ago, Swiatek swept the Sunshine Double defeating Maria Sakkari in the Indian Wells final.
Swiatek stormed through seven straight games pulverizing Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-0 to capture her first Miami Open championship, score her 17th consecutive victory and complete the Sunshine Double. The then 20-year-old Pole made history as the youngest play to sweep the Sunshine Double in the same season.
In sunny south Florida, Swiatek solidified her status as new world No. 1 by surpassing Ash Barty last April.
Now, Swiatek will try to recover in time for clay-court season where she is reigning Roland Garros, Rome and Stuttgart champion.