Aryna Sabalenka Critiques Dubai Tournament Director Salah Tahlak, Questions Future Participation
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has expressed uncertainty about returning to Dubai following critical remarks 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, withdrew from the tournament due to injury and scheduling conflicts, leading to a diminished main draw filled by lucky losers.
Sabalenka cited a minor hip injury as the reason for her withdrawal last month, coinciding with escalating tensions in the region due to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Tahlak described the withdrawals as an “unfortunate surprise” for the organizers and advocated for strict measures against late pull-outs, including potential penalties involving ranking points.
Sabalenka responded to Tahlak’s comments 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 indicated that Tahlak’s remarks might affect her decision to participate in future events in Dubai.
Under WTA regulations, top players are required to compete in all four Grand Slams, ten WTA 1000 tournaments, and six WTA 500 events, with penalties for absences ranging from ranking point deductions to fines.
Gauff: The Comments Were Unnecessary
Coco Gauff has called for a more understanding perspective regarding the withdrawals of Swiatek and Sabalenka. She acknowledged that both players have a long history with the Dubai tournament and emphasized that their decisions were not personal. Gauff stated, “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, especially after several matches during the Asian swing last year were unable to be completed due to injuries.
Sabalenka Prioritizes Health
As Sabalenka prepares to defend her title at the Miami Open, she has indicated a shift in her approach to the season. She expressed the need to prioritize her health and manage her schedule more effectively. “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. Sabalenka also opted to skip the Doha tournament, citing the chaotic scheduling as a contributing factor to the high injury rates among players.
Sabalenka’s Impressive Record
Sabalenka has established a remarkable tie-break record at Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events. Her performance includes:
| Tournament | Tie-Break Won | Tie-Break Lost |
|---|---|---|
| US Open | 10 | 3 |
| Australian Open | 8 | 3 |
| French Open | 7 | 2 |
| Wimbledon | 5 | 1 |
| Cincinnati | 5 | 3 |
| Indian Wells | 4 | 2 |
| Madrid | 4 | 2 |
| Wuhan Open | 3 | 1 |
| Miami Open | 3 | 0 |
| China Open | 3 | 2 |
| Canadian Open | 3 | 3 |
| Rome | 2 | 1 |
| Qatar Open | 2 | 1 |
| Dubai | 1 | 3 |
Sabalenka Eyes the ‘Sunshine Double’
As a four-time Grand Slam champion, Sabalenka is now focused on achieving the ‘Sunshine Double,’ a feat accomplished by only four women in history. She stated, “It would be huge, but who knows what the future holds. 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 FAME Delivered News Desk