The 2026 WTA Middle East swing has been hit by a number of high-profile withdrawals, with Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka both skipping the Qatar Open.
Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula withdrew from the Qatar Open as well, which simply isn’t a good look for the very first WTA 1000 tournament of the season.
Fortunately, the presence of world number two Iga Swiatek and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina has ensured a relatively strong field remains.
But the lack of superstars, including WTA number one Sabalenka, strongly suggests that a change to the Qatar Open and ensuing Dubai Tennis Championships should be made.
If you could change one rule in tennis what would it be and why?
The WTA should consider Qatar and Dubai alternate format again
Many players are clearly either physically or mentally not in the right place to take on the Qatar Open, which has arrived immediately after the Australian Open.
The Grand Slam was lengthy and demanding, with the Melbourne heat undoubtedly taking its toll on those involved.
Qatar Open withdrawals could, therefore, have been anticipated and expected, suggesting that a return to the pre-2024 system from the WTA is the way forward.
Before 2024, Doha and Dubai alternated between 1000 and 500 status, but are now both 1000 tournaments.
A return to the previous format represents a clear solution to the current issue, and one that the WTA should consider sooner rather than later.
It would both help protect player health and maintain tournament prestige, particularly given that all 10 WTA 1000 tournaments are mandatory, again since 2024.
Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys emphasize WTA issue with Dubai withdrawals
Along with the withdrawals in Qatar, further worry arrived from two star players who were unable to complete their opening matches, with defending champion Amanda Anisimova and Emma Raducanu retiring due to illness.
The current struggle has just been reinforced once more by a four-time Grand Slam champion, with Osaka withdrawing from Dubai following her Doha withdrawal.
And she isn’t the only former major winner to make that decision, with Keys following suit for the WTA 1000, along with injured duo Marta Kostyuk and Eva Lys.
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Many leading players will still take part in Dubai later this month, but its status as a WTA 1000 tournament has already taken a blow, and could still take a few more before getting underway.
While the focus is firmly on Qatar, it will certainly be interesting to see what unfolds ahead of two more back-to-back 1000 competitions in the Sunshine Swing.
Indian Wells returns to the schedule at the start of March, immediately followed by the Miami Open, both of which are iconic events in the calendar.
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