Dubai Tennis Tournament Hit by Withdrawals, Lucky Losers Benefit

Victoria Mboko

Top players withdraw from Dubai Tennis Championships due to injuries and schedule clashes, paving way for lucky losers.

“Right now ‌I have no energy at all. I need food and fuel...”

Victoria Mboko, the 19-year-old Canadian tennis star, has withdrawn from the Dubai Tennis Championships due to a right elbow injury. This comes after her impressive run to the Qatar Open final last week, which earned her a spot in the world's top 10 for the first time.

Mboko's withdrawal has opened up a spot for lucky loser Petra Marcinko, who will face Jaqueline Cristian in the first round. The Dubai tournament has been hit by a wave of withdrawals, including top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka (hip issue), Iga Swiatek (schedule change), and Maria Sakkari (illness). This has reignited debates about the demanding tennis calendar, with players and officials calling for changes to prioritize athlete welfare.

The Dubai WTA 1000 tournament is facing a major blow with several top players withdrawing, including world number one Aryna Sabalenka due to a minor hip issue. Other notable withdrawals include Iga Swiatek and Karolina Muchova citing schedule changes, Maria Sakkari and Zheng Qinwen due to illness, and Elisabetta Cocciaretto with a thigh injury.

The tournament director, Salah Tahlak, has expressed frustration over the late withdrawals, calling for harsher penalties, including docking ranking points, for players who pull out without valid reasons. This could potentially open up opportunities for younger players to shine.

Maria Sakkari hinted that she wasn't thrilled about playing another high-profile tournament right after her semi-final loss to Karolina Muchova in Doha. Given her recent form and the demanding schedule, it's no surprise she's feeling a bit overwhelmed. Sakkari had just made a strong comeback, beating Iga Swiatek in the quarters, and might be prioritizing her energy.

“It's a very quick turnaround,” Sakkari said.

“Right now ‌I have no energy at all. I need food and fuel ... 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 stupidly chase points and tournaments.”

Iga Swiatek isn't new to prioritizing her health over a packed tennis schedule. Last year, she hinted at cutting back on tournaments, even if it meant skipping some mandatory events, to avoid burnout. This year's schedule is already taking a toll, with top players like Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Maria Sakkari pulling out of Dubai.

The WTA has strict rules requiring top players to compete in most major tournaments, with penalties for no-shows ranging from ranking point losses to fines. With players now speaking out, there's growing pressure on the WTA to reconsider these rules and prioritize player well-being.

Victoria Mboko withdraws from Dubai due to an elbow injury.

She’s been playing some incredible tennis and is fresh off the Doha final.

Hopefully she’s 100% healthy for Indian Wells.

🇨🇦❤️‍🩹 pic.twitter.com/cNIcKCKF1U

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 16, 2026

Athlete Welfare is Our Top Priority

The WTA is prioritizing athlete welfare, listening to player feedback through the players' council and board representatives. They're working to improve the circuit structure, boosting compensation, and keeping the tour structure under review. Any changes will require coordination with governing bodies like the ATP, ITF, and Grand Slams.

The Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA) isn't mincing words - they filed a lawsuit against tennis' governing bodies, calling the situation “unsustainable.” Meanwhile, Dubai tournament director Salah Tahlak is calling for stricter penalties for late withdrawals, suggesting ranking points should be docked. He described Sabalenka and Swiatek's pull-outs as an “unfortunate surprise”

Tahlak's frustration is understandable, given the impact on the tournament. But with players citing health concerns, the debate around the tennis schedule continues. 

“I think a fine will ​not do anything,” Tahlak said.

Tahlak's comments highlight the ongoing debate about tennis' grueling schedule. With the men's and women's circuits running for 11 months, players are feeling the strain, and last year's Asian swing saw several matches disrupted by injuries.

A Top 10 debut 🤩

Vicky Mboko has broken into the Top 10 of the PIF WTA Rankings for the first time in her career, following an incredible break-out 12 months 👏#PIFWTARankings | @PIF_en pic.twitter.com/8p0Kzvhksw

— wta (@WTA) February 16, 2026

The conversation around player welfare is heating up, with many calling for changes to the calendar. The PTPA's lawsuit and player withdrawals are putting pressure on governing bodies to act. 

As top players prioritize their health, lucky losers are getting their chance to shine. In Dubai, Kamilla Rakhimova, Anastasia Zakharova, Magdalena Frech, Peyton Stearns, Antonia Ruzic, Hailey Baptiste, and Petra Marcinko are all beneficiaries of the late withdrawals.