Aryna Sabalenka faces backlash after Dubai withdrawal and calling tournament ridiculous

Calling it ridiculous and stating that she will never participate again.

“I don’t think he showed himself in the best way possible.

“It’s actually so sad to see that the tournament directors and the tournaments not protecting us as players. They just care about their [sales], about their tournament and that’s it.

“I’m not sure if I ever want to go there after his comment. For me it’s too much.”

Sabalenka is not the only top player who has withdrawn from the Dubai Championships. Iga Swiatek has also confirmed that she will not take part in the event.

The tournament director, Salah Tahlak, has suggested that both players should be docked ranking points because of their withdrawals.

In tennis, ranking points are very important because they decide a player’s position in the world rankings. Players usually earn points by performing well in tournaments, and in some cases, especially at bigger events, they are expected to participate. If a player withdraws without a valid reason, they may lose points or receive zero points for that tournament.

This can affect players in several ways. Losing points can cause them to drop in the rankings, which may lead to tougher match draws in future tournaments. It can also impact their chances of qualifying for major events or finishing the season in a top position.

Aryna Sabalenka said she will use the time during the Dubai Championships to focus on her health, as she feels the tennis schedule is too demanding.

“Going into this season, we decided to prioritise 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,” said Sabalenka, who will attempt to defend her Miami Open title this week.

“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.”