The WTA Dubai Open 2026 has faced significant disruptions with around 26 players withdrawing due to injuries, illness, and fatigue. The tight schedule between the Doha Open and Dubai, with less than 24 hours between the Doha final on February 14 and Dubai's opening rounds on February 15, has drawn criticism from top players. Tournament officials have called for stricter penalties on late pullouts.
The Dubai Open 2026, a WTA-1000 event offering up to 1000 ranking points, follows closely after the Doha Open and Australian Open in the calendar. This back-to-back scheduling has made it challenging for players to participate in both, leading to widespread withdrawals. Top-ranked WTA players are required to compete in 10 such events annually, two more than their ATP counterparts, amplifying concerns over player welfare.
Around 26 players have pulled out, including pre-tournament withdrawals and mid-event retirements, resulting in lucky losers filling the main draw. Notable absences include Aryna Sabalenka, who cited not feeling 100%, and Iga Swiatek, due to a schedule change. Other big names like Naomi Osaka (abdominal issue), Maria Sakkari (illness), and Paula Badosa (back injury) have also withdrawn. Elena Rybakina retired mid-match in the second round against Antonia Ružić due to illness after winning her opener, while Badosa pulled out during her second-round clash with Elina Svitolina.
Doha finalists Karolina Muchova and Victoria Mboko skipped Dubai entirely, with Muchova citing fatigue and Mboko a right elbow injury. Additional withdrawals stem from various injuries: Zheng Qinwen and Elisabetta Cocciaretto (illness and left thigh), Barbora Krejčíková (left thigh), Daria Kasatkina (right hip), Madison Keys (fatigue), Sara Bejlek and Hailey Baptiste (abdominal), Veronika Kudermetova and Karolína Plíšková (unspecified injuries), Eva Lys (knee), and Marta Kostyuk (ankle).
Players have voiced frustration over the congested calendar. Sabalenka and Swiatek have emphasized prioritizing health and longevity. Coco Gauff, the highest remaining seed, remarked, “For this point in the schedule, it’s hard to play all the tournaments now that they’re two weeks. The ask of players is becoming more and more and more.” Sakkari added, “It’s a very quick turnaround. Right now I have no energy at all … We decided we’re going to play a more reduced calendar. Not that it means I’m going to play 10 to 12 tournaments a year, but we’re not going to chase points and tournaments.”
Tournament director Salah Tahlak described late withdrawals by top players as “strange” and advocated for harsher penalties, such as deducting ranking points for unjustified absences from mandatory events.
