Aryna Sabalenka Critiques Dubai Tournament Director Salah Tahlak, Considers Withdrawal from Future Events
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has expressed uncertainty about returning to Dubai following criticism from the tournament director regarding her withdrawal. Salah Tahlak labeled the call for stricter penalties on late withdrawals as a “ridiculous” idea. Sabalenka, along with world No. 3 Iga Swiatek, was forced to withdraw from the event due to injury and scheduling conflicts, which left the tournament with a diminished main draw.
Sabalenka cited a minor hip injury as the reason for her withdrawal last month. This decision came amid escalating tensions in the region due to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has caused significant disruption.
Tournament Director’s Comments
In response to the withdrawals, Tahlak described Sabalenka and Swiatek’s absence as an “unfortunate surprise” for the organizers. He suggested that stricter measures should be implemented for late withdrawals, including the docking of ranking points.
Sabalenka responded to Tahlak’s remarks during a press conference at the Miami Open, stating, “I think it’s ridiculous. I don’t think he showed himself in the best way possible. For me, it’s actually so sad to see that the tournament directors and the tournaments are not protecting us as players. They just care about their sales, about their tournament, and that’s it.”
She further stated, “His comment was ridiculous. I’m not sure if I ever want to go there after his comment. For me, it’s too much.”
Obligations and Scheduling Challenges
Under WTA regulations, top players are required to compete in all four Grand Slams, ten WTA 1000 tournaments, and six WTA 500 events. Missing these events can result in penalties ranging from fines to loss of ranking points.
Sabalenka emphasized the need for a more balanced schedule, noting that the current demands have led to numerous injuries among players. “Going into this season, we decided to prioritize my health and make sure we have these little gaps in the schedule where I can reset, recharge, work, and be better prepared for bigger tournaments,” she explained, mentioning that she also skipped the Doha tournament.
Gauff’s Support for Fellow Players
Coco Gauff, another prominent player, weighed in on the situation, urging for a more understanding perspective regarding Swiatek and Sabalenka’s withdrawals. She stated, “I just feel Iga and Aryna have played that tournament so many times, and it wasn’t anything personal to it. It’s tough. We’re trying our best to play the calendar. I completely understand why she would feel like that because the comments were unnecessary.”
The ATP and WTA have faced scrutiny for their demanding 11-month seasons, particularly after several matches in the Asian swing last year were canceled due to injuries.
Sabalenka’s Focus on Future Tournaments
As Sabalenka prepares to defend her title at the Miami Open, she remains focused on her health and performance. She acknowledged the challenges of the current tour schedule, stating, “I feel like the scheduling is going crazy, and that’s why you see so many players injured, always taped and not delivering the best quality matches because it’s almost impossible.”
In her pursuit of excellence, Sabalenka aims to complete the ‘Sunshine Double,’ a feat achieved by only four women in tennis history: Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, and Iga Swiatek. “It would be huge, but who knows what the future holds,” she remarked. “I would love to achieve that, but I just want to take it one step at a time.”
As reported by www.skysports.com.
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Published on 2026-03-18 16:13:00 • By Editorial Desk
