Qatar Open dealt late blow as two WTA champions withdraw
Two WTA champions have withdrawn from the Qatar Open just before play was set to begin, adding to a growing list of high-profile absences.
Amanda Anisimova’s victory at the Qatar Open last year was a major catalyst for her breakthrough season.
Anisimova returns to Doha this year as one of the top seeds, joining a strong field that includes Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina.
While there is still plenty of star power in the draw, several big names like Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka had already pulled out ahead of time.
On Saturday, two more WTA champions were added to that list as they withdrew from the tournament at the last minute.
McCartney Kessler pulls out of Qatar Open
The WTA Tour’s Qatar Open will showcase 56 top players, among them the American, McCartney Kessler.
The American is a three-time WTA title winner and reached a career-high ranking of world number 30 in 2025.
Kessler was due to make her second appearance at the event after losing in the first round on debut last year, but she has withdrawn just hours before her scheduled match against Elsa Jacquemot.
She pulled out due to a lower back injury, something she has been dealing with recently during appearances at the Australian Open and Abu Dhabi Open.
With Kessler out, lucky loser Elisabetta Cocciaretto steps into the draw to face Jacquemot in round one instead.
Sorana Cirstea withdraws from Qatar Open following Cluj-Napoca title win
Kessler is not the only player to have pulled out of the Qatar Open, as Sorana Cirstea has also withdrawn.
Cirstea defeated Emma Raducanu to claim the Transylvania Open title just yesterday, leaving her with little time to get ready for Doha.
It looks like that turnaround was too tight for the 35-year-old, who is set to retire from tennis later this year.
Cirstea has since pulled out of the tournament citing a schedule change and will be replaced by former top-10 player Beatriz Haddad Maia.
There is still no word yet on whether Raducanu will follow suit and skip the tournament as well.
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