SINGAPORE — Egyptian star Mayar Sherif has become the ninth withdrawal from the upcoming Singapore Open, joining a lengthy list of exits ahead of the WTA 500 event at the OCBC Arena. The 2026 edition will feature a 28-player field led by French Open champion Mirra Andreeva as top seed, with former Wimbledon and US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova seeded second, WTA sensation Alex Eala third and defending champion Elise Mertens fourth.
The tournament has been upgraded from a WTA 250 to a WTA 500 this year after last season's 32-player draw held in late January to early February, when Mertens defeated Ann Li to lift the title. “It became really tight at the end. It was a bit nerve-wracking. I had a good start, and I felt [Ann Li] was building up pretty well, so I’m very pleased that I could finish that,” Mertens said after that victory. As a WTA 500, the top four seeds receive a bye into round two, guaranteeing Eala 60 ranking points and $18,045 (£13,468) in prize money before she hits a ball.
Sherif, 30, was scheduled to compete in Singapore but has withdrawn according to the WTA's website, joining the eight other exits. The former world No. 31 is a history-maker as the highest-ranked Egyptian singles player — male or female — in the Open Era since 1968, and the two-time WTA Tour title winner will now hope for a swift return to competition.
The Singapore Open winner will pocket $185,500 (£138,457) with the runner-up earning $114,500 (£85,462). The event kicks off the Asian Swing, which also includes tournaments in Seoul, Beijing, Wuhan, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Osaka and Tokyo.