Big names pull out of World Tennis League: Medvedev and Fritz among key withdrawals

The third edition of the World Tennis League, a non-ATP/WTA-affiliated mixed-gender team exhibition tournament, is set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Unfortunately, players like Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz have withdrawn from the competition.

As in previous years, Abu Dhabi had announced a star-studded line-up, featuring six ATP top-12 players and six WTA top-10 players. Some of the most exciting names include Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Nick Kyrgios, and Casper Ruud.

The withdrawals of Fritz and Medvedev are significant setbacks, especially since they are not the only players to have pulled out. The 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova and World No. 16 Hubert Hurkacz have also opted out. "Due to unforeseen personal reasons and unavoidable circumstances like injury concerns, the line-up for the upcoming edition has changed," the organisers explained.

However, the tournament moved quickly to find replacements. Canadian Denis Shapovalov, Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko, and Australian Jordan Thompson will take the three vacant men's spots. On the women’s side, Krejcikova has been replaced by another former Wimbledon champion: Simona Halep. Halep is using the exhibition to regain match rhythm after a long suspension and limited competition since its lifting.

The tournament features a line-up of 16 players divided into four teams. A points system will determine the top two teams that will advance to the final match to crown the champions. In 2023, Team Eagles, composed of Daniil Medvedev, Sofia Kenin, Andrey Rublev, and Mirra Andreeva, claimed the title.