Ningbo Open 2026 tennis tournament
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The gist
Six-time major winner Iga Swiatek withdrew from the Ningbo Open with an injured left thigh.
Her exit and Kostyuk's retirement reshaped the race for the last Finals spot.
Background
The BNB Ningbo Open is a WTA 500 tournament played on outdoor hard courts in Ningbo, China; founded in 2010, it was elevated to the 500 level in 2024. It is the penultimate WTA 500 event of the season, following the final WTA 1000 event in Wuhan and preceding the season-ending WTA Finals at Indian Wells, which begin Nov. 8. Iga Swiatek, a Polish player and six-time major winner, was among those competing for the last remaining spot at the Finals, alongside Karolina Muchova and Marta Kostyuk.
How it unfolded
- Oct 16, 2026A WTA preview is published ahead of the BNB Ningbo Open, the third edition at WTA 500 level, with main draw play set to begin Monday, Oct. 19.
- Oct 17, 2026The draw is to be determined at 7 p.m. local time. The same day, Swiatek receives a medical timeout in a Wuhan Open semifinal against compatriot Maja Chwalinska.
- Oct 19, 2026Main draw play begins in Ningbo.
- Oct 20, 2026Organizers announce on social media that Swiatek has withdrawn because of an injured left thigh. Jelena Ostapenko retires while losing to fifth-seeded Belinda Bencic 6-3, 1-1.
- Oct 21, 2026Leylah Fernandez beats qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-3 in a three-hour, three-minute second-round match. No. 3 seed Marta Kostyuk retires after dropping the first set 6-4 to Ekaterina Alexandrova, and Karolina Muchova secures the final WTA Finals berth.
- Oct 22, 2026Iva Jovic versus Jasmine Paolini in the second round is listed as currently playing live.
- Oct 25, 2026The doubles final is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time, with the singles final to follow not before 5 p.m.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The WTA preview noted that if Swiatek didn't reach the quarterfinals and Kostyuk didn't reach the final in Ningbo, Muchova would secure the remaining spot for the season-ending tournament at Indian Wells starting Nov. 8.
- Player
- Swiatek said she had been experiencing an ongoing problem with her left thigh over the past weeks and felt giving herself time to rest and recover was the right decision.
- Player
- Fernandez said staying positive and composed was the key to advancing despite the challenges Sasnovich presented.
Still unverified
Kalshi lists the tournament as "AUX Ningbo Open" and gives champions as "In play" for both singles and doubles, stating its details come from its tennis data feed.