Anastasia Potapova has called time on her 2026 campaign after a right shoulder injury forced her to retire from her opening-round match against Sinja Kraus at the China Open in Beijing. The world No. 25 had been due to continue her Asian swing in Wuhan, but will instead begin her recovery with the aim of returning fully fit in 2027.
“My season has to come to an end,” Potapova said in a social-media statement. “Unfortunately, lately my body has been giving me more and more signs that it’s time to stop. For me, that’s the clearest sign that I need to take a break, give my body the time it needs to recover and come back stronger.”
The shutdown ends a season in which Potapova made one of the sharpest rises on the WTA Tour, climbing from No. 97 before Linz to a career-best and current ranking of No. 25. She reached the final in Linz, made the Madrid semifinals after entering the draw as a lucky loser, and went to the fourth round at both the Italian Open in Rome and Roland Garros.
Her defining result came on the Paris clay, where she overturned defending French Open champion Coco Gauff 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 in the third round. It was a three-set win that underlined the level Potapova found during her strongest stretch of the year.
Injuries interrupt strong season
Potapova’s progress was repeatedly tested by physical problems. She began the Australian leg while carrying a broken finger on her non-dominant hand, then retired from her second-round match against Zeynep Sonmez at s’Hertogenbosch after Roland Garros because of illness.
Her grass-court schedule was further disrupted in Berlin, where a neck injury brought an early end to her first-round meeting with Ekaterina Alexandrova after the opening set.
At the US Open, Potapova was also hurt during a demanding three-set match against Mirra Andreeva. Chasing a forehand with Andreeva leading 5-3 as Potapova served to remain in the contest, she fell and injured her left knee. After a medical timeout and heavy taping, she returned to court but was visibly restricted as Andreeva completed the victory. Potapova left the court in tears.
The shoulder issue in Beijing became the final setback. With no further events planned beyond Wuhan, Potapova will now concentrate on recovery ahead of next season. She also ended her previous campaign after Beijing, making the Chinese capital her last tournament of the year for a second consecutive season.
