Top Players Withdraw From Dubai WTA 1000 Event Amid Packed Schedule and Injury Concerns

A spate of withdrawals has rocked the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, with a number of top-tier players pulling out before and during competition, leaving the WTA 1000 event’s draw thinner and opening opportunities for lower-ranked players and “lucky losers.” The tournament, which began February 15, has seen high-profile names bow out due to injury, fatigue or schedule changes.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka withdrew earlier in the week with a hip issue; her explanation mirrored comments made in other early-season events: “The rules are quite tricky with mandatory events, but I’m still skipping a couple events to protect my body” she told reporters before pulling out. 

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek also withdrew ahead of her first match, citing “a change of schedule” under WTA rule. 

Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, seeded third in Dubai, was forced to retire mid-match in the round of 16 against lucky loser Antonia Ruzic, citing fatigue and nausea as she exited with the score 1-0 in the third set. The withdrawal adds to a list that includes Victoria Mboko, Maria Sakkari and Barbora Krejcikova, among others.

The volume of absences — with reports noting that “24 of the 43 players” originally entered are now out — has brought unexpected drama as qualifiers and lucky losers fill vacated spots. Ruzic’s run to the quarterfinals as a replacement player — a first at WTA 1000 level — is one of the few headlines emerging from a depleted event.

Tournament organizers have publicly discussed late withdrawals in the context of the demanding women’s calendar and have suggested penalties for late exits, underscoring ongoing tension between elite competitors and tour scheduling.

The Dubai WTA 1000 final is scheduled for Saturday.