Sabalenka, Swiatek Withdraw from Dubai Draw

The world’s top two players will not be in attendance at next week’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek announced the news on Friday.

Sabalenka ends a run of nine consecutive appearances in Dubai.

“I’m really sorry I have to withdraw from Dubai. I have such a special connection with the tournament, the fans and the city. Unfortunately, I am not feeling 100 per cent. But I hope to be back next year and wish the tournament a great event,” the four-time major champion said.

Swiatek, a runner up in Dubai in 2023, said:

 “I am sorry to announce that I will not be playing Dubai this year due to a change of schedule. I hope I will come back next year to experience the great tournament. See you guys in Indian Wells.”

While at the Australian Open, Swiatek talked about the fact that she planned to play less 1000 events in 2026.

“Last year I had trouble with making this kind of decision, but this year I’m trying to change my approach. So I think, for sure, we’ll skip some 1000 tournaments,” Swiatek said.

Dubai is not a “mandatory” 1000-level event. For race purposes, players can count their best event from Doha, Dubai or Wuhan.

The field will be stacked in Dubai nevertheless. Last week the tournament said in a press release that “the world’s top 20 women – including all eight quarterfinalists from the season’s first Grand Slam – are confirmed for Dubai’s WTA 1000 event.”

Two marquee names will be missing but the show goes on.