The WTA’s leaderboard looks a lot like a hospital ward at the moment. World No 1 Serena Williams has brought her season to an early end as she tries to “heal” her injuries and wounded heart.
Simona Halep, ranked second, retired in the opening set of her opening match at the China Open with a left-ankle injury. At the Wuhan Open last week, world No 3 Maria Sharapova, making her first appearance on the Tour since her semi-final defeat at Wimbledon, could not complete her match, pulling out in the third set of her game against Barbora Strycova with a painful left wrist and forearm.
The Russian has also opted out of this week’s China Open and now looks a doubt for the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore. Halep’s participation is also unsure, while Williams has already announced her withdrawal.
That is not the end of the casualty list. Garbine Muguruza, who is fourth in the Road to Singapore rankings, retired from the Wuhan Open final against Venus Williams with a left ankle injury. No 5 Petra Kvitova could not make it past the first round at the ongoing China Open, losing 7-5, 6-4 to Sara Errani.
The Czech was hampered by a shoulder injury and the lingering effects of glandular fever.
Lucie Safarova, sixth in the Road to Singapore, has not played a match since losing in the opening round at the US Open. The Czech is suffering from an abdominal tear and was also hospitalised with a bacterial infection.
But as the old adage goes, one woman’s injury is another one’s opportunity. So it will be interesting to see the final eight to make the finals in Singapore.
There are 1,750 points up for grabs in the final three weeks of the season and 27 players have a mathematical chance of qualifying.
