World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the Korea Open, citing fatigue after a demanding season, which included 14 tournaments and a recent quarterfinal run at the U.S. Open. She joins defending champion Jessica Pegula, who is sidelined with a rib injury, and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who is out due to a back injury, along with Emma Navarro, who withdrew for scheduling reasons. The tournament, upgraded to a WTA 500 event with a prize pool of $1 million, now lacks any top-10 players in its draw. Fans and players alike have expressed disappointment over the timing of the tournament, which follows closely after the U.S. Open. Swiatek has criticized the WTA schedule for its demands, suggesting it leads to player fatigue and injuries. The list of withdrawals has opened opportunities for lower-ranked players to advance in the tournament.