Tensions between players and tournament organisers have come into focus once again, with world number one Aryna Sabalenka expressing uncertainty about her future participation at the Dubai Tennis Championships following criticism over her withdrawal earlier this season.
Sabalenka, who pulled out of the tournament citing a minor hip injury, found herself at the centre of controversy after comments from tournament director Salah Tahlak, who called for stricter penalties for late withdrawals. The Belarusian star did not hold back in her response. “I think it’s ridiculous,” Sabalenka told reporters at the Miami Open on Tuesday.
“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. His comment was ridiculous. I’m not sure if I ever want to go there after his comment. For me it’s too much.”
Sabalenka was not the only high-profile absentee in Dubai. Iga Swiatek and several others also missed the event due to injuries, illness, or scheduling adjustments, resulting in a reshuffled draw that relied on lucky losers and impacted the tournament’s overall competitiveness.
The situation unfolded against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, adding further uncertainty around the event. Sabalenka had initially cited injury as the reason for her withdrawal before regional instability escalated. Support for the top seed came from Coco Gauff, who urged for a more balanced perspective on player withdrawals.
“I just feel Iga and Aryna have played that tournament so many times and it wasn’t anything personal to it,” Gauff said. “It’s tough. We’re trying our best to play the calendar. I completely understand why she (Sabalenka) would feel like that because the comments were unnecessary.”
Under current WTA regulations, leading players are required to participate in a set number of top-tier tournaments, including Grand Slams and WTA 1000 events, with penalties such as fines or ranking point deductions imposed for absences.
However, the debate has reignited concerns about the demanding nature of the tennis calendar. Both the men’s and women’s tours have faced criticism for their near year-round schedules, often leaving players little time to recover. Sabalenka acknowledged that managing workload has become a priority in her season planning, especially after a strong start to the year that included a title run at Indian Wells.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
As the conversation around player welfare grows louder, Sabalenka’s remarks highlight a broader shift in the sport where athletes are increasingly willing to push back against structures they believe compromise their health and performance.
