Aryna Sabalenka Threatens Never to Return to Dubai After Director’s ‘Ridiculous’ Comments

Aryna Sabalenka may never return to Dubai for the second WTA 1000 of the season because of tournament director Salah Tahlak‘s infamous comments. Tahlak had criticized Sabalenka as well as World No.3 Iga Swiatek for their last-minute withdrawal from the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Tahlak even called for “harsher punishments“, including the docking of ranking points. In her pre-tournament press conference at the Miami Open, Sabalenka did not shy away from revealing how she felt after Tahlak’s comment.

I think it’s ridiculous. 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 are not protecting us as a player. 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.

The reason for her withdrawal is the “crazy” 11-month calendar. So to protect her physical and mental well-being, the Belarusian deemed it best to withdraw from both the WTA 1000 events in the Middle East after her Australian Open disappointment.

Going into this season, we decided we were going to prioritize my health and make sure that we have these little gaps in the schedule where I can just reset, recharge, work, and be better prepared for bigger tournaments. I feel like scheduling is going crazy, and I feel like that’s why you see so many players are injured, always taped, and not delivering the best quality matches, because it’s almost impossible.

Aryna Sabalenka added

The 27-year-old lost to Elena Rybakina in three sets in the Melbourne Slam final, failing to win her third singles title in the event. But she got her revenge by overcoming a set deficit to win her first Indian Wells singles title. It was her second title of the season as she also defended her Brisbane International title by beating Marta Kostyuk.

Andy Roddick on what advice he will give to Elena Rybakina after her defeat to Aryna Sabalenka

Before her Indian Wells triumph, Sabalenka lost two final matches to Rybakina. The Kazakh ace, prior to her Australian Open victory, had also beaten the World No.1 in last year’s WTA Finals.

Former ATP player Andy Roddick, while discussing the Indian Wells final on his Served podcast, shared the advice he would like to give to the World No.2 if he were her coach. He said Rybakina should think she is as good as the four-time Grand Slam singles champion.

If you are in her camp, you are going you are absolutely as good as her right now. We can debate that and get into the statistics of it, but if I’m her coach, I’m going you are there. You might even be better right now. I am pitching that narrative. She is definitely not scared of the tough matches. She doesn’t stress test going in. She respects the best players in the world, but there is no chance she does not view herself as that person right now, even with this loss to Sabalenka.

At the Miami Open, both the top two players have played in the championship match. Rybakina is a two-time finalist, losing to Petra Kvitova in 2023 and to Danielle Collins the following season. Last year, she suffered an opening-round exit.

Sabalenka will enter the fourth WTA 1000 of the season as the defending champion. She beat Jessica Pegula last year, winning a Sunshine Doubles singles title for the first time.

Sabalenka will play Ann Li or qualifier Kimberly Birrell in the opening round. Rybakina will kick off her campaign against Janice Tjen or Yulia Putintseva.

Also read: Daniil Medvedev Sends Clear Message on his Level Compared to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

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