Iga Swiatek of Poland returns a shot from Naomi Osaka of Japan, during the women s singles finals of the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. AP
Organizers from the season's first clay-court tournament announced Swiatek's decision on Saturday.
Swiatek said in a statement she had played the previous few weeks and needed a break.
``I've got a harmless injury of my arm that I need to rest,'' she said.
Swiatek also won at Indian Wells on March 20. Earlier Saturday, she topped Osaka 6-4, 6-0 to extend her winning streak to 17 matches.
``I hoped to start the clay season in Charleston there, but unfortunately, I need to wait,`` she said.
Swiatek will take over the women's No. 1 ranking due to Ash Barty retiring.
Charleston Open tournament director Bob Moran congratulated Swiatek on her success and new status as the world's No. 1 player. He said he was disappointed Swiatek will miss the event but understands she played ``a lot of tennis over the past four weeks.``
The tournament begins Monday ,with the championship finals set for April 10.
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