Jasmine Paolini and Karolína Muchová have withdrawn from the 2026 Cincinnati Open due to injuries, removing two former tournament finalists from the prestigious WTA 1000 hard-court event. According to tournament organizers and the Women’s Tennis Association, both players opted to pull out of the mid-August tune-up to manage their physical fitness ahead of the upcoming US Open.
Paolini, who reached the final of the Cincinnati Open in previous competitive cycles, addressed her physical status following the decision. According to the WTA, the Italian star elected to skip the Ohio event to protect her ranking and ensure full recovery. Her withdrawal impacts her position near the upper tier of the world rankings, prompting adjustments to her late-summer hard-court schedule.
Muchová likewise withdrew from the tournament site, continuing a cautious approach to her competitive calendar following a series of physical setbacks.
Tournament officials confirmed that the late withdrawals triggered adjustments to the singles main draw. Lucky losers and alternates from the qualifying rounds moved into the vacated slots as the competition proceeded according to WTA protocol.
Impact on the US Open Preparation
Both Paolini and Muchová targeted full fitness for the Flushing Meadows fortnight, prioritizing recovery over participation in Ohio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jasmine Paolini withdraw from the Cincinnati Open?
Jasmine Paolini withdrew from the tournament to address injury concerns and preserve her physical condition ahead of the US Open, according to official WTA statements.
Who else withdrew from the tournament?
Karolína Muchová also withdrew from the 2026 Cincinnati Open due to injury, joining Paolini on the list of absent former finalists.
How do these withdrawals affect the tournament draw?
Tournament organizers replaced the withdrawn players with qualifying alternates and lucky losers in accordance with WTA rules.