The drama of Tatiana Prozorova: forced to withdraw... against her will!

Diego Jiménez Rubio - 26 Sep 2026 | 07:44
WTA WTA Singapur 2026 retirada

The 22-year-old Russian was hit by a ball in a doubles match, and the WTA has forced her to miss the semifinals of the tournament in Singapore. The tennis player's outrage is at its peak.

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Tatiana Prozorova, mandatory retirement. Photo: Getty Images

Tennis is an endless mine of bizarre situations, and the one experienced by Tatiana Prozorova at the WTA 500 Singapore 2026 is one of the craziest ever seen. A new semifinalist in the tournament, she was hit by a ball during her doubles match, and the WTA enforced a rule that forced her to withdraw from competing this Saturday.

Health comes first; every precaution matters, and protocols are meant to be followed. All of this makes sense, but it doesn't ease the frustration and unease of Tatiana Prozorova. The Russian was having a splendid week at the WTA 500 Singapore 2026, where she was in the semifinals of the singles draw, but everything turned upside down after being struck in the head by a ball during her quarterfinal doubles match.

No one could have imagined that this unfortunate incident would have such severe consequences. It was already surprising that she withdrew from that match, but the bombshell news came hours later, revealing that she had pulled out of the tournament and would not be able to compete in the semifinals against Talia Gibson, causing the Australian to advance to the final without stepping onto the court.

However, the most incredible part was yet to come. Prozorova herself, in a message on social media, claimed she was forced to withdraw from the tournament by a concussion protocol imposed by the WTA against her will. The tournament's medical staff conducted a series of observation-based tests and decided that the young player was unfit to compete.

Prozorova's incendiary message against the WTA for her forced withdrawal in Singapore

Unfortunately, the organizers have withdrawn me from the qualifying match of the WTA 500 in Singapore. Today, during the doubles match, one of my opponents hit a smash in my direction that grazed my cheek and impacted my shoulder. These things happen sometimes. The physiotherapist came to the court and insisted on taking me off to perform a specific test. Unfortunately, I didn’t know I could refuse.

The test was not easy. Considering that I had spent more than three hours on the court during each of the last three days, I was fatigued and struggled with some exercises, like balancing on one leg with my eyes closed. To be honest, even when I’m rested and in good condition, I find that exercise challenging. I also explained this to the physiotherapist. Of all the exercises, that was the only one they were not satisfied with, even though I passed all the others.

The physiotherapist also pressured me, implying that I was incapable of making my own decisions and that I needed at least six days of rest without playing tennis, which seems ridiculous to me, considering I felt perfectly fine.

After finishing our doubles match, I completed my recovery routine and had dinner. I felt great. However, the physiotherapist was following a specific WTA protocol and pressuring the organizers regarding my condition. My team and I had a lengthy conversation with the organizers. Throughout the process, the physiotherapist pressured everyone present and even claimed that I was unable to take responsibility for my own life.

The decision of the organizers upset me greatly. My dream week has come to an end today... @wta, I think you need to reconsider your own rules. A system that leaves players completely defenseless.

Unfortunately, with this decision, the organizers have jeopardized my participation in the WTA 1000 in Beijing, which starts next Monday. The physiotherapist made it clear that I would not be allowed to play until six days had passed. It is completely absurd and an abuse of authority by a member of the WTA team.

This case is not trivial, as it could set a precedent in the tennis world and prompt the relevant institutions to reconsider amending the rule. What is clear is that Tatiana Prozorova has experienced something almost unimaginable just hours ago that could cause a seismic shift in world tennis.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El drama de Tatiana Prozorova: obligada a retirarse...¡contra su voluntad!