Iga Swiatek of Poland returns the ball to Ann Li of the U.S. during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Pablo Garcia) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)Ann Li of the U.S. returns the ball to Iga Swiatek of Poland during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Pablo Garcia) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)1 / 2Spain Tennis Madrid OpenIga Swiatek of Poland returns the ball to Ann Li of the U.S. during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Pablo Garcia) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)1 / 2Spain Tennis Madrid OpenIga Swiatek of Poland returns the ball to Ann Li of the U.S. during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Pablo Garcia) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)2 / 2Spain Tennis Madrid OpenAnn Li of the U.S. returns the ball to Iga Swiatek of Poland during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Pablo Garcia) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)Associated PressSat, April 25, 2026 at 5:08 PM UTC·1 min readMADRID (AP) — Iga Swiatek withdrew from the Madrid Open due to an unspecified illness while playing her round-of-32 match against American Ann Li on Saturday.
Li got the walkover win when the fourth-ranked Swiatek withdrew with Li winning 7-6 (4), 2-6, 3-0.
Swiatek, the 2024 Madrid champion, required a medical timeout while down 2-0 in the deciding set. She returned to the court but called it quits after Li held serve.
The Polish star beat Daria Snigur in straight sets in her second-round opener on Thursday.
Li, who is ranked 34, recorded a a second career win over a top-10 opponent. She will face Leylah Fernandez in the round of 16.
