While Aryna Sabalenka pulled over for her 8^th appearance in Miami Gardens, the same cannot be said about Dubai.

The WTA No.1 was supposed to play at the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this year. But citing a right hip injury, Sabalenka had to withdraw on February 14. The tournament director criticised the move, and the Belarusian had some replies.

"I think it's ridiculous," she said at ​the Miami Open on Tuesday. “I don't think he showed himself in the best way possible. 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.”

Dubai tournament director Salah Tahlak called Sabalenka’s withdrawal an “unfortunate surprise" for the organisation at that time. By docking ranking points, a strict action for late withdrawals was taken.

But to Sabalenka, “his comment was ridiculous” and “too much.” Hence, there's uncertainty if she “ever wants to go there” after the incident. However, going deeper into this season, there’s one thing she’s sure of.

Aryna Sabalenka’s New Approach

As per a Reuters report, “Top players are obliged to compete in all four ​Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000 tournaments and six WTA 500 events under WTA rules, with punishments for missing them ranging from ranking points ‌penalties ⁠to fines.”

But such a tight schedule puts the players at a massive risk of constant injuries. An injured player can’t really play the best tennis or deliver the best result. There’s a lack of time to practice and rest. And that’s what Sabalenka intends to fix.

“Going into this season, we decided ... to prioritise my health", said ​Sabalenka. "And make sure we have these little gaps in the schedule ⁠where I ​can reset, recharge, work, and be better prepared for bigger tournaments,"

"I feel like the scheduling is going crazy”, she added. “And that's why you see so many players injured, always taped ​, and not delivering the best quality matches because it's almost impossible."

To the top seed who just won the Indian Wells title and will be defending her Miami Trophy, taking care of her health and game made more sense than playing at trafficked circuits.

What’s your prediction for Sabalenka’s Miami run? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy