Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek both withdrew from the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships.
And the Dubai promoter was not happy!
As reported by ‘The National‘, tournament director Salah Talak called out the world’s top two players.
“It was an unfortunate surprise last night to get news of the withdrawal of Aryna [Sabalenka] and Iga [Swiatek],” he said.
“And the reasons for withdrawal were a bit strange. Iga said she wasn’t mentally ready to compete, while Sabalenka said she has some minor injuries.
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“I don’t know. I think there should be a harsher punishment on the players [for withdrawing], not just fines; they should be docked ranking points.
“I feel they should deduct points from the players. A monetary fine won’t help.”
Several former players, including Andy Roddick, argued that Talak’s comments were uncalled for, speaking out in defence of Sabalenka and Swiatek.
Russia’s Yevgeny Kafelnikov, on the other hand, chose to side with the Emirati.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov understands Salah Talak’s comments, ‘How else can you react?’
During the latest episode of ‘Hard Court‘, Kafelnikov commented on the Dubai withdrawal controversy.
“The promoter has the right to speak out like that,” he said.
“Of course, we all understand that, especially the women’s tour, finds it hard to get sponsors to hold the tournament.
“And when, in a place like Dubai, they hold tournaments with huge amounts of prize money, to see these kinds of withdrawals as a promoter, well, it’s suicide.
“Because he puts up billboards of them for three, four months, hoping to attract other sponsors. Everyone wants to see the best players, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, so when such a real collapse of names happens, how else can you react?
“Anyone would give in to their emotions.
“As a human being, I can understand him.”
Sabalenka and Swiatek weren’t the only players to skip the event, as 16 stars dropped out of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
2026 Dubai Tennis Championships withdrawals
| Seed | Player | Replacement |
| 1 | Aryna Sabalenka | Hailey Baptiste |
| 2 | Iga Swiatek | Peyton Stearns |
| 11 | Victoria Mboko | Petra Marcinko |
| 15 | Karolina Muchova | Anastasia Zakharova |
| 16 | Naomi Osaka | Alexandra Eala |
| 17 | Madison Keys | Katerina Siniakova |
| – | Lois Boisson | Daria Kasatkina |
| – | Elisabetta Cocciaretto | Antonia Ruzic |
| – | McCartney Kessler | Laura Siegemund |
| – | Marta Kostyuk | Magda Linette |
| – | Veronika Kudermetova | Marie Bouzkova |
| – | Eva Lys | Tatjana Maria |
| – | Karolina Pliskova | Cristina Bucsa |
| – | Maria Sakkari | Kamilla Rakhimova |
| – | Marketa Vondrousova | Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova |
| – | Qinwen Zheng | Magdalena Frech |
To make matters worse, seven players withdrew or retired from matches during the tournament.
2026 Dubai Tennis Championships mid-tournament withdrawals/retirements
| Seed | Player | Notes |
| 1 | Elena Rybakina | Retired during 3R vs Antonia Ruzic |
| – | Hailey Baptiste | Retired during 1R vs Alexandra Eala |
| – | Sara Bejlek | Withdrew before 2R vs Belinda Bencic |
| – | Paula Badosa | Retired during 2R vs Elina Svitolina |
| – | Daria Kasatkina | Withdrew before 2R vs Mirra Andreeva |
| – | Ella Seidel | Retired during 2R vs Jaqueline Cristian |
| – | Barbora Krejcikova | Withdrew before 2R vs Amanda Anisimova |
Looking at the sheer number of withdrawals, you can understand why Talak felt so aggrieved.
Former Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva also sympathised with Talak, but understood Swiatek and Sabalenka’s perspectives.
“You could say that the tournament was unlucky this year,” said Dementieva.
“I understand all the director’s frustration, of course, a lot of money and effort was invested in this.
“But you can understand the players, too.
“Aryna, she can’t afford to go out as the world number one and just play.
“She needs to feel 100% ready to go for the win, for the trophy.
“The same goes for Iga Swiatek.”
Where do you think she will be ranked?
It’s a tricky situation, and not one that has an obvious solution.
Yes, you could dock ranking points for skipping events, but is it right to hold players hostage, so to speak?
If players are tired or need a break, should they not be allowed the freedom to decide when and where they play?
After all, by not competing, they are already losing ranking points.
Both sides have valid arguments, but it’s time for the two parties to find a compromise, to ensure we aren’t having these same conversations come February 2027.
What’s next for Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek?
Swiatek played Doha before skipping Dubai, but her Belarusian rival hasn’t been seen on the WTA Tour since losing in the Australian Open final last month.
However, both players are scheduled to return at Indian Wells in March.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Indian Wells record
- Titles won – 0
- Win/Loss record – 15-6
- Win % – 71%
- 2025 performance – Lost in F to Mirra Andreeva
Iga Swiatek’s Indian Wells record
- Titles won – 2
- Win/Loss record – 22-3
- Win % – 88%
- 2025 performance – Lost in SF to Mirra Andreeva
Of the two, Swiatek has played better at Indian Wells throughout her career, winning two titles.
Whether she can add a third to her collection in 2026 remains to be seen.
Indian Wells begins on Wednesday, March 4.
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