Citi Open can't seem to catch a break before opening day

The tennis season is a weird one. The four most important events of the year are scheduled strangely, and that forces players to make health-related decisions that might not be made if the majors were spread out a bit more. The true injured parties tend to be good but less important tournaments like the Citi Open.

The Australian Open is played in January and into early February at times. That's too early in the year, really, as players haven't had time to get back into the swing of things after an, at most, two-month rest. The French Open is played into early June, Wimbledon into early July, and the US Open begins in August. The sport should find a way to have more space in between.

Citi Open officials might agree because players pull out of those kinds of events, ones that only offer 500 points to the winner. If a player is dealing with an ailment, they are less likely to take a risk regarding their long-term health than they might do at a Masters 1000 or Grand Slam.

Players who have withdrawn from the 2026 Citi Open

In terms of the 2026 Citi Open, whose main draw runs from Monday, July 27, through Sunday, August 2, many key players have already withdrawn. Most claim injuries, and some are more serious than others. Some players might simply want a bit more rest before the Masters events begin again.

Carlos Alcaraz, for instance, was not going to play in Washington, DC, this year. He's simply hoping to get back by the Cincinnati Masters. Others have their own concerns.

WTA withdrawals from the Citi Open:

• Marta Kostyuk (No. 11) — replaced by Elisabetta Cocciaretto
• Jasmine Paolini (No. 15) — replaced by Katie Boulter
• Iva Jovic (No. 16) — replaced by Magdalena Frech
• Katerina Siniakova (No. 35) — replaced by Magda Linette
• Jaqueline Cristian (No. 41) — replaced by Sara Bejlek

Paolini is dealing with a foot injury, and she is hoping that a bit of rest will help the issue fade. The positive part is that there is no indication yet that she is in jeopardy of missing the US Open. That event begins at the end of August.

ATP withdrawals from the Citi Open:

• Carlos Alcaraz (No. 3)
• Jesper de Jong (No. 73)
• Holger Rune (No. 80)

Alcaraz is hoping to return by the Cincinnati Masters, but he won't play in DC or at the Canadian Open. He won't drop any points by doing so, however/

Today's best reads

• Tennis fans get the Carlos Alcaraz spin they wanted to hear
• Alex Eala quickly shuts down one narrative that follows tennis stars
• Carlos Alcaraz got exactly what he wanted from the Cincinnati Open
• Emma Raducanu's latest move could mean her season is over
• Canadian Open keeps taking brutal hits before the tournament begins

This article was originally published on lobandsmash.com as Citi Open can't seem to catch a break before opening day.