Aryna Sabalenka recently shocked the tennis world by announcing her withdrawal from the 2025 China Open, one of the marquee WTA 1000 events on the Asia swing. Several fans voiced concern in the aftermath, predicting a troubling outcome for the Belarusian involving her archrival and world No. 2 Iga Świątek.
The withdrawal is particularly striking given Sabalenka’s imperious form, which was marked by her recent Grand Slam triumph at the US Open.
What Did the Fans Predict for Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek After the Belarusian’s Beijing Withdrawal?
According to tournament organizers, Sabalenka’s withdrawal was triggered by a minor injury she suffered en route to her US Open triumph. The Belarusian yet again showcased her dominance at Flushing Meadows, outclassing home favorite Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6(3) to retain her crown.
Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the 2025 China Open due to a minor injury.
We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming her back in Beijing.#2025ChinaOpen— China Open (@ChinaOpen) September 17, 2025
However, the injury setback and her subsequent withdrawal have raised questions about Sabalenka’s loosening grip on the world No. 1 spot. A quarterfinalist in Beijing last year, she now stands to forfeit the 215 points she earned. On top of that, Sabalenka isn’t even competing at the WTA 500 event in Seoul.
Meanwhile, the world No. 2 Świątek is contesting the WTA 500 event in Seoul and is expected to feature at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing. Winning both could net her 1,500 points, significantly cutting into Sabalenka’s sizable lead. She would then have another chance to close the gap further at the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan.
Sabalenka will enter Wuhan as the defending champion with 1,000 points to protect. Any dip in form post-recovery could give Świątek a golden opportunity to stage a deep run at the event she skipped last year, where she has no points to defend. In fact, the Pole would firmly position herself in the race to finish as the year-end world No. 1.
Amid these shifting scenarios, several fans have voiced concern about what lies ahead for the Belarusian on tour. One wrote:
“She would’ve been defending quarter final points which is not THAT much but what does this mean for Wuhan? Oh Iga is coming for #1 .”
She would’ve been defending quarter final points which is not THAT much but what does this mean for Wuhan? Oh Iga is coming for #1 https://t.co/MPW1TyRk3N
— Bukky (@_Ebuka) September 17, 2025
“So she played too few WTA 500 and WTA 1000 tournaments. She will get a penalty and lose points for as many as 4 tournaments. If Swiatek wins in Korea and Beijing, she will be less than 600 points behind Sabalenka in the race for YE#1,” another chimed in.
“Iga playing korea, beijing and wuhan with no points to defend and Aryna no korea or beijing and defending wuhan. The YE race getting spicy ,” one commented.
One fan suggested Świątek is likely aware of this opportunity, recalling how she struggled with disappointment over not being able to defend her No. 1 ranking last season. The Pole has to miss the entire Asian swing due to his doping suspension.
“Iga strikes me as the type to definitely be atleast aware of this considering part of her struggles earlier this year was being disappointed at not getting the chance to defend her #1 last year this swing,” they wrote.
“Another title in Wuhan could close to shut the door on YE #1 (although not entirely).so that’s probably enough motivation in itself. Even if Swiatek wins Seoul and Beijing back to back she’d, still be like 600 behind coming into Wuhan,” one fan noted.
Another title in Wuhan could close to shut the door on YE #1 (although not entirely).so that’s probably enough motivation in itself.
Even if Swiatek wins Seoul and Beijing back to back she’d, still be like 600 behind coming into Wuhan
— Tennis Updates (@TennisUpdates25) September 17, 2025
“She’s so fumbling that year-end number 1, another 2023 coming,” a fan chimed in.
Sabalenka currently holds a commanding lead in the rankings, with 11,225 live points compared to Świątek’s 7,934.
However, the upcoming WTA 1000 events could prove decisive, depending on how Świątek performs. As the season enters its closing stretch, all eyes will be on whether Sabalenka can maintain her grip on the top spot in women’s tennis.
