Aryna Sabalenka vows to boycott tournament as she slams ‘ridiculous’ comment

Don’t be surprised if there is an Aryna Sabalenka-sized hole in the draw at next year’s Dubai Championships.

The four-time grand slam winner was a late withdrawal from this year’s edition of the tournament due to what she claimed was a minor hip issue.

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Sabalenka was not the only superstar to pull out close to the event, with Iga Swiatek another who did not play.

The duo’s withdrawals were ‘an unfortunate surprise’ for tournament director Salah Tahlak, who went as far as claiming players who opt out of tournaments on such short notice should be ‘docked ranking points’ along with being fined.

But Sabalenka has since fired back at Tahlak’s bold idea and hinted the mere prospect of proposing it was enough to turn her off playing at the Dubai Championships ever again.

Sabalenka snaps back at Dubai organisers

“I think it’s ridiculous,” Sabalenka said.

“I don’t think he showed himself in the best way possible.

“For me it’s actually so ​sad to see that the tournament directors and the tournaments not protecting us as players. They just care about their (sales), about their tournament and that’s it.

“His comment was ridiculous. I’m not sure if I ever want to go there after his comment. For me ​it’s too much.”

What are the WTA rules regarding players competing at events?

The Dubai Championships is one of ten WTA 1000 events on the tennis calendar.

As per the WTA’s regulations, the top players on tour must compete in all 10 WTA 1000 tournaments as well as all four grand slams and six WTA 500 events.

Should a player miss any of those outside of circumstances like injuries, they could be punished via a fine or being docked ranking points.

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One fellow pro who came to Sabalenka and Swiatek’s defence amid Tahlak’s frustration was two-time grand slam winner Coco Gauff.

You go, Glen Coco

Speaking ahead of the Miami Open, which is one of the 10 WTA 1000 tournaments, the American star was empathetic towards the superstar duo’s stance and felt Tahlak only added fuel to the fire with his comments.

“I just feel Iga and Aryna have played that tournament so many times and it wasn’t anything personal to it,” Gauff said.

“It’s tough. We’re trying our best to play the calendar.

“I completely understand why she (Sabalenka) would feel like that ​because the comments were unnecessary.”

Sabalenka goes into the Miami Open off the back of a sensational victory at Indian Wells.

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The Belarusian had reached the final at Indian Wells twice before in 2023 and 2025, only to fall short against Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva.

But it proved to be a case of third time lucky as she exacted revenge on Rybakina with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) win.

Sabalenka will begin her Miami Open defence on Thursday, where she awaits either Australia’s Kimberly Birrell or Ann Li in the round of 64.