In a significant development for the WTA Tour, both Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka—currently ranked world No. 2 and No. 1, respectively—have withdrawn from the prestigious WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, just days before the event is set to begin on February 15, 2026.
This double absence marks a major blow to the tournament’s star power and has fueled ongoing discussions about player scheduling and fatigue in the early-season Middle East swing.
Iga Swiatek, who recently competed in Doha where she fell in the quarterfinals to Maria Sakkari, explained her decision in a personal statement, expressing regret while pointing to adjustments in her calendar: “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.”
Aryna Sabalenka, who skipped Doha entirely following her Australian Open final appearance, cited her physical condition as the primary reason for pulling out, while emphasizing her affection for the event: “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 %. But I hope to be back next year and wish the tournament a great event.”
Both players expressed hopes of returning in future editions, with Swiatek confirming her focus now shifts to the upcoming Indian Wells Masters in March.
The withdrawals come amid broader concerns about the demanding back-to-back nature of the Qatar and Dubai events on the calendar, though the tournament itself has acknowledged the news with disappointment while wishing the players well.