Amanda Anisimova’s 2026 campaign takes another blow with a sudden withdrawal from the Singapore Open due to a fresh left wrist injury.
The American, seeded second and granted a first-round bye, was set to face Talia Gibson in the Round of 16 but had to pull out, handing her spot to lucky loser Viktoria Morvayova. This latest setback compounds a season already marred by underperformance and injury struggles.
After exiting the US Open in tears following a third-round loss to Anastasia Potapova (6-2, 7-5), Anisimova’s momentum has stalled dramatically. Her defeat at Flushing Meadows also sparked controversy, with Potapova allegedly making a ‘goodbye’ gesture as she left the court, a move that ignited widespread backlash on social media, though the intention remains unclear. The 25-year-old’s current season record stands at 22 wins and 12 losses, a stark contrast to her early 2026 form when she reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 and advanced to the Australian Open quarterfinals.
However, Anisimova’s form sharply declined as the season progressed. She retired in the Doha Open Round of 32 against Karolina Pliskova while trailing 7-5, 6-7, 4-1, and suffered early exits at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, losing in the third round to Madison Keys. A brief resurgence came at the Cincinnati Masters, where she made the quarterfinals with wins over Alexandra Eala and Linda Noskova, but she failed to carry that form into the US Open.
Anisimova’s withdrawal from Singapore adds to a growing list of high-profile absences from the tournament, which has now seen 11 players pull out. Jessica Pegula, the tournament’s original top seed, withdrew citing fatigue after a demanding US swing that included finals appearances at the Citi Open and Cincinnati Masters, and a US Open semifinal run. Pegula’s departure allowed Mirra Andreeva to inherit the top seed position, while Leylah Fernandez joined the draw as a wildcard replacement.
Russian rising star Diana Shnaider also pulled out without specifying a reason, likely opting for rest after competing in both singles and doubles at four US swing events. Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea is another notable absentee, further thinning the field in this WTA 500 event.
With so many marquee names missing, promising talents like Andreeva and Eala find an open road to the title in Singapore. Whether an underdog will seize this opportunity remains to be seen, but the tournament’s competitive landscape has undeniably shifted.
Amanda Anisimova’s withdrawal underscores the ongoing challenges she faces in regaining her top form and maintaining her place among the sport’s elite. As her injury recovery timeline remains uncertain, the American’s participation in the remainder of the Asian swing hangs in the balance.