No.7 seed and defending champion Petra Kvitova has withdrawn from the Rothesay International citing fatigue, the tournament announced on Tuesday.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova won her 31st Hologic WTA Tour title last week in Berlin. She had been scheduled to play Jelena Ostapenko in the first round in a rematch of the 2022 final. Kvitova's spot in the draw was filled by another Czech, lucky loser Barbora Strycova.
"I'm very sad that I have to withdraw from the tournament in Eastbourne and not have the chance to defend my title," Kvitova said in a statement. "It's one of my favorite stops on tour and I wish everyone a great week."
Sadly @Petra_Kvitova has withdrawn from the #RothesayInternational Eastbourne
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 27, 2023
Hope to see you back next year Petra pic.twitter.com/jasD79HEht
No.10 seed Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic also withdrew from the tournament on Tuesday due to fatigue. Krejcikova's spot in the draw was taken by lucky loser Rebecca Marino of Canada.
Krejcikova returned to the Top 10 of the WTA singles rankings for the first time in over a year on Monday, after her finalist showing last week in Birmingham.
No.22-ranked Anastasia Potapova also withdrew, citing a right shoulder injury. Potapova, a semifinalist in Birmingham last week, was due to face Camila Giorgi on Tuesday and has been replaced by Heather Watson in the draw.