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Anisimova, Alexandrova Withdraw from Madrid Open with Injuries

The Madrid Open women's draw has been reshuffled after the withdrawals of sixth-seeded Amanda Anisimova and twelfth-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova due to wrist and lower back injuries, respectively. They have been replaced in the seeded positions by Maria Sakkari and Magdalena Frech, who receive first-round byes. The tournament has seen several other pre-draw withdrawals, including Emma Raducanu and Marketa Vondrousova. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will now aim to win a record fourth Madrid title at the Caja Magica.

Key Points: Madrid Open Hit by Injuries as Anisimova, Alexandrova Withdraw

  • Anisimova out with wrist injury
  • Alexandrova out with back injury
  • Sakkari, Frech enter as seeded replacements
  • Defending champ Sabalenka eyes historic 4th title
2 min read

Tennis: Anisimova, Alexandrova withdraw from Madrid due to injury

Seeded stars Amanda Anisimova and Ekaterina Alexandrova withdraw from the Madrid Open due to wrist and back injuries, altering the draw.

"Two seeded players, No. 6 Amanda Anisimova and No. 12 Ekaterina Alexandrova, have both been withdrawn - WTA reports"

Madrid, April 21

Two seeded players, No. 6 Amanda Anisimova and No. 12 Ekaterina Alexandrova, have both been withdrawn from the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open due to injury. Two-time major finalist Anisimova cited a wrist injury, while Alexandrova cited a lower back injury.

Alexandrova was replaced in the draw by Maria Sakkari as the No. 33 seed, and Anisimova, who was the most threatening presence in the lower half of the women's singles draw before the quarterfinals, was replaced by Magdalena Frech as the No. 34 seed, both with first-round byes.

Sakkari and Frech's original first-round opponents, Janice Tjen and Katerina Siniakov, will instead face qualifiers or lucky losers to be drawn at the close of the final qualifying round, WTA reports.

Anisimova has not competed since a fourth-round loss in Miami to Belinda Bencic and subsequently withdrew from Charleston due to an unspecified injury.

Alexandrova also withdrew from Charleston due to a lower back injury. She returned to action two weeks ago, but lost her Linz opener to Karolina Pliskova and fell in the Stuttgart second round to Linda Noskova.

Other withdrawals from Madrid prior to the main draw being made include Great Britain's Sonay Kartal, who will miss the entire clay-court swing due to a back injury; France's Varvara Gracheva, who will also miss the entire clay-court season after tearing her ACL in practice at the end of March; Australia's Maya Joint, due to a back injury; Emma Navarro, due to continuing illness; and Emma Raducanu and Marketa Vondrousova.

A total of 96 female players now know their roads to glory in the Caja Magica. At one of the season's toughest tournaments, where the imposing Manolo Santana Stadium will host the final rounds, the finest WTA talent is raring to go in the Spanish capital.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will be bidding to become the first woman to lift four titles in the Caja Magica, a feat that would make her the most decorated WTA player in the tournament's history.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The physical demands of the tour are brutal, especially on clay. Back and wrist injuries can be career-altering. WTA needs to look at the schedule density. Respect to the players pushing through, but health comes first.
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Priyanka N
As an Indian tennis fan, I always watch these big tournaments. It opens up the draw for others, but it's a shame. I was hoping to see Anisimova play. Now my focus is on the other matches. Let's see who steps up!
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Aman W
Tough luck for the players withdrawing. But this is the reality of professional sport. Injuries are part of the game. The "lucky losers" get a big chance now. That's the drama of it!
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Karthik V
So many big names out – Raducanu, Vondrousova too. The article says "96 players know their road to glory," but with so many injuries, is it really about glory or just about who can stay healthy? The season is too long, yaar.
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Michael C
Interesting to see Sakkari and Frech get seeded spots and byes. That's a huge opportunity for them. The Madrid Open is always a fantastic event. Hope the weather is good and we get some classic matches despite the withdrawals.

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