Paula Badosa and Jelena Ostapenko have continued the ongoing WTA injury crisis by withdrawing from their next tournaments.
Just one WTA event remains in the Middle East Swing, with the Dubai Tennis Championships now drawing to a conclusion.
Dubai has been hit with several withdrawals amid the busy start to the season, along with several walkovers and retirements.
The Merida Open and ATX Open are rapidly approaching, but both tournaments have already been hit by high-profile withdrawals involving Badosa and Ostapenko.
How would you solve the tennis injury crisis?
Paula Badosa and Jelena Ostapenko withdraw from WTA tournaments
Badosa retired hurt against Elina Svitolina in Dubai, with the former world number two continuing her torrid time with injury.
Spanish ace Badosa hit back at a fan who criticized her retirement during the WTA 1000 event, with her injury now forcing her out of the Merida Open too.
She wrote on her Instagram story: “I’m sorry to announce I won’t be able to play in Merida. Was really looking forward to play in front of the amazing fans.
“Mexico always feels like my second home. I’m very sad I’m not able to play this year. Will try to fully recover and be back as soon as possible. Thank you for the support.”
And her WTA rival Ostapenko issued a very similar update regarding her scheduled appearance at the ATX Open.
The tournament quoted the 2017 French Open champion on X: “As I said when I committed to play the ATX Open, I love to compete on big stages with loud, enthusiastic crowds.
“I have been looking very forward to playing in my first ATX Open. I’m sorry that injury will keep me away this year.
“I’m hopeful that I will be able to make my ATX Open debut this time next year. I wish all my fellow competitors well as they prepare to play in Austin next week.”
Both the Merida Open in Mexico and the ATX Open in Austin start on February 23rd, finishing on March 1st.
The former is a WTA 500 tournament and the latter is a WTA 250, with the events followed in the schedule by back-to-back WTA 1000s at Indian Wells and Miami.
Who is your favorite player on the WTA Tour right now?
Constant WTA withdrawals are no surprise
It’s certainly a worrying time for the WTA Tour, although fortunately steps are now in place to try and solve the issue.
Jessica Pegula will lead the Tour Architecture Council, which has the clear aim of improving the women’s calendar.
The players clearly forced the WTA’s hand, with many of its leading players in agreement that their health is their main priority.
Aryna Sabalenka, the leading player in women’s tennis, hasn’t played since the Australian Open, opting to skip both the Qatar Open and the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The back-to-back WTA 1000 tournaments immediately followed the Grand Slam, a schedule that arguably left many players with no choice but to take major action.
The establishment of the Tour Architecture Council is a step in the right direction, and that may force a calendar change that would be much more player-friendly.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
