Iga Świątek’s run at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open ended in disappointment during the third round, as the Polish world number one was forced to retire from her match against American qualifier Ann Li due to a right thigh injury. The incident occurred on April 25, 2024, at the Caja Mágica in Madrid, where Świątek had been defending her title from the previous year. According to match reports, she was trailing 3-0 in the final set and down 0-30 on her serve when she called for the trainer and ultimately decided she could not continue.
The retirement marked a surprising early exit for the two-time Madrid Open champion, who had entered the tournament as the top seed and was aiming for a third consecutive title at the clay-court event. Świątek had won the Madrid Open in both 2021 and 2023, making her one of the most successful players in the tournament’s recent history. Her withdrawal opened up the draw significantly, particularly in the upper half where she had been positioned.
Ann Li, ranked world number 112 at the time, capitalized on the opportunity to advance to the fourth round of a WTA 1000 event for only the second time in her career. The American had qualified for the main draw and was playing her best tennis on clay in months, having previously reached the third round in Stuttgart. Li’s victory over Świątek was notable not only for the stature of her opponent but also for the circumstances, as she became one of the few players to defeat the Pole in straight sets on clay during her dominant era.
Medical evaluations following the match confirmed that Świątek had sustained a strain in her right adductor muscle, an injury that would require several days of rest, and rehabilitation. The WTA Tour’s medical team advised against continued play to prevent further damage, especially with the Italian Open and French Open approaching on the calendar. Świątek later confirmed via her social media channels that she would skip the Madrid Open’s remaining events and focus on recovery ahead of the European clay-court swing.
The incident drew concern from fans and analysts alike, as it interrupted what had been a strong start to Świątek’s 2024 season. Prior to Madrid, she had reached the quarterfinals in Stuttgart and won the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, demonstrating her continued adaptability on different surfaces. Her early departure from Madrid, however, raised questions about her physical readiness for the grueling clay-court season that culminates at Roland Garros.
Despite the setback, Świątek remained a strong contender for the French Open title, having won the tournament in 2020 and 2022. Her team emphasized that the retirement was precautionary, aimed at ensuring she could compete at full strength for the Grand Slam events later in the year. The WTA Tour officially listed her withdrawal as due to a right thigh injury, with no further details disclosed at the time.
As of the latest updates, Świątek has resumed training and is expected to participate in the Italian Open in Rome, where she has historically performed well. Her ability to bounce back from this injury will be closely watched, particularly as she seeks to maintain her position at the summit of the women’s game. For now, the focus remains on her recovery and preparation for the next phase of the clay-court season.