World No. 1 Iga Swiatek retired from her Madrid Open quarterfinal match against Aryna Sabalenka on April 26, 2026, due to a viral illness. The Polish tennis star was seen in tears after having her blood pressure and pulse checked by medical staff during the second set.
Swiatek, who had won the first set 6-4, began showing signs of distress early in the second set. She called for the trainer and was evaluated for dizziness and fatigue. After a brief consultation, she decided to withdraw, trailing 1-2 in the second set.
In a statement, Swiatek said she had been feeling unwell for several days and that the symptoms worsened during the match. 'I tried to push through, but it was impossible to continue,' she said. Sabalenka advanced to the semifinals.
