A noticeable surge of player withdrawals has impacted the WTA 500 event held in Mérida, Mexico, following a similar pattern that started at the Dubai Duty Free Championships. Among those pulling out are former World No. 2 Paula Badosa and several other leading players, signaling growing concerns around injuries and health management on the tour. This ongoing issue reflects the challenges faced by top athletes balancing demanding schedules and physical wellbeing.
Earlier in the season, the Dubai event saw significant absences before the first serve, with Iga Świątek opting out due to scheduling conflicts and Aryna Sabalenka sidelined by a right hip injury. Maria Sakkari and Qinwen Zheng were forced to withdraw due to illness, and Victoria Mboko could not compete because of a right elbow injury. Additional injuries took their toll on Barbora Krejčíková and Elisabetta Cocciaretto, both dealing with left thigh problems. Karolína Muchová also missed the tournament, following scheduling difficulties shortly after clinching the Qatar Open title.
Paula Badosa’s Withdrawal Highlights Persistent Injury Concerns
Paula Badosa’s physical issues resurfaced recently, forcing her to retire during a second-round match against Elina Svitolina due to a persistent right thigh injury. She later confirmed through social media her decision to skip the Mérida Open, expressing her regrets and emphasizing the need for proper recovery. Her absence was one of the most notable among an expanding list of withdrawals that continues to affect the competitive landscape of the tournament.
I am truly sorry to announce that I will not be able to be in Mérida this year. I was really looking forward to playing. I now need to recover properly and come back as soon as possible.
?Paula Badosa, Former World No. 2
Maria Sakkari also remains unable to return to the court as she has not fully recovered from illness, leading her to withdraw from the Mérida competition as well. Along with Sakkari and Badosa, players such as Liudmila Samsonova, Diana Shnaider, Daria Kasatkina, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, and Jaqueline Cristian are listed among those sidelined. Their withdrawals are attributed mainly to injuries affecting knees, hips, thighs, or ongoing sickness, thinning the field considerably.
Withdrawals – MERIDA W: Samsonova (left knee?), Shnaider (right knee?), Badosa (right thigh), Cristian (?), Kasatkina (right hip), Sakkari (illness?), Cocciaretto (left thigh).
?Tennisform, Twitter update February 23, 2026
External Factors Add to Tournament Challenges in Mexico
Beyond the wave of player fatigue and injuries, the Mérida Open is also contending with heightened security worries. Mexico has recently been placed on alert following increased violence that erupted after federal forces eliminated the cartel leader known as El Mencho. This operation triggered retaliatory attacks from armed factions, escalating instability in various regions. The tense environment contributes to the overall complexity surrounding the tournament’s continuity and player participation.
Impact of Withdrawals on the WTA Tour and Upcoming Outlook
The string of withdrawals from high-profile players like Paula Badosa and Maria Sakkari is a reflection of the mounting pressures on the WTA schedule and athletes’ health management. As injuries and illnesses sideline multiple competitors, tournaments like the Mérida Open face the challenge of maintaining competitive depth and fan engagement. The persistence of these issues underscores the need for optimal scheduling and player support systems moving forward.
With the WTA season underway, the focus will remain on players’ recovery and the potential return of top stars following rest periods. Observers and fans alike await updates on Paula Badosa’s recovery and the broader implications these withdrawals will have on forthcoming events across the tour.
Withdrawals – MERIDA W: Samsonova (left knee?), Shnaider (right knee?), Badosa (right thigh), Cristian (?), Kasatkina (right hip), Sakkari (illness?), Cocciaretto (left thigh).
— Tennisform (@Tennisform) February 23, 2026
