Mboko Joins Growing List of Withdrawals from Dubai

By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, February 16, 2026
Photo credit: Adelaide International Facebook

Lucky losers are turning out to be big winners in Dubai.

Doha finalist Victoria Mboko officially withdrew from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships today.

The 19-year-old Canadian, who also made her WTA Top 10 debut today, joins an expanding list of stars to pull out of Dubai. That list includes the world’s top two, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, Doha champion Karolina Muchova, Maria Sakkari and Zheng Qinwen.

MORE: Dubai Tournament Director and Players Clash over “Insane” Schedule

Little turnaround time between back-to-back WTA 1000 tournaments in Doha and Dubai has caused some players to feel the squeeze and pull out to condense their crowded calendars and preserve their health.

“As I mentioned I think a few days ago, we decided that we’re going to play a more reduced calendar. Not that that means that I’m going to play 10, 12 tournaments a year, but we’re not going to chase stupidly points and tournaments,” Sakkari said after losing to Muchova in the Doha semifinals. “I think, on [Sabalenka and Swiatek’s] level, I mean, it’s the No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, they can basically be more selective with what they play. I don’t know if it’s injury or fatigue related, but probably they thought that it’s the right thing to do for them.

“It’s a very quick turnaround. I mean, especially for me not to have a bye.”

In an interview with veteran tennis journalist Reem Abulleil for The National, Dubai tournament director Salah Tahlak voiced his “unfortunate surprise” at the withdrawals of No. 1 Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek, questioning the validity of their reasons and calling for a radical shift in how the WTA penalizes its top talent.

“I think there should be a harsher punishment on the players [for withdrawing], not just fines; they should be docked ranking points,” Tahlak told Abulleil. Read his complete comments here.

Next month, players will again face back-to-back WTA 1000 events with the Sunshine Doubles in Indian Wells and Miami.

Reigning Roland Garros champion Coco Gauff said the schedule demands are a challenge for players and opposes a ranking point penalty for those who withdraw.

“I feel like for me, this part of the season I have always struggled I think just because of the transition and things like that,” Gauff said. “Do I think players should be docked points? Not really. We already have the mandatory. We get zeros on our ranking for everything. For this point in the schedule, I think it’s hard to play all the tournaments now that they’re two weeks. I think the ask of players are becoming more and more and more.

“I do understand the tournament side. They obviously want the players there. In the past I think top players have always come to Doha and Dubai. This draw has historically been a tough draw. I understand it’s unfortunate this year.

“I don’t think it’s fair for players to get docked points. I think, if anything, we should have an optional 1000 like the men do with Monte-Carlo. Yeah, I think that’s a little bit harsh in my opinion.”