Aryna Sabalenka recently addressed the controversy surrounding her withdrawal from the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, with tournament director Salah Tahlak calling for severe punishments against her and Iga Świątek. Just a day after the Belarusian’s comments, top-ranked American Coco Gauff shared her thoughts on the situation, defending the top two-ranked women on the WTA Tour.
Coco Gauff Defends Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek Following Dubai Withdrawal Controversy
Sabalenka criticized Tahlak’s comments ahead of the 2026 Miami Open, describing the physical and mental toll the WTA calendar takes on players. She called his statements “ridiculous,” expressing discontent that the “tournament and the organizers are not protecting them as players.”
The Belarusian had skipped the entire February swing, missing major WTA 1000 tournaments, including the Dubai and Qatar Open, citing a right hip injury. When she returned to action in March in Indian Wells, she lifted the trophy for the first time in her career, thanks to the fresh start following the break.
Gauff expressed her thoughts on the situation and Sabalenka’s comments during her pre-tournament press conference. “I just feel Iga [Świątek, who also withdrew] and Aryna have played that tournament so many times, and it wasn’t anything personal to it,” she stated. The top-ranked American argued that the withdrawal was entirely health-related and not driven by any personal grudges.
She added, “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,” lashing out at Tahlak and his comments, and pointing toward the jam-packed WTA calendar.
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The Dubai tournament director stated that there should be significant financial and ranking penalties for players who withdraw close to the tournament. In the case of Sabalenka, who cited an injury as the reason for withdrawing, Tahlak even went to the tournament doctor to inquire whether the injury was serious enough to skip the event.
Miami Open Schedule Disrupted by Rain and Thunderstorms
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens was expected to host the women’s qualifying rounds of the 2026 Miami Open on Sunday, March 15, but the tournament was suspended entirely that day due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. When the weather conditions improved on Monday, it led to a double-header, with multiple matches organized on the same courts within a short period.
Things worsened on Wednesday when tennis legend Venus Williams and Taylor Townsend’s first-round matches, which were initially scheduled for the evening session, were postponed to the day sessions on Thursday.
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The entire schedule has been disrupted by massive rainstorms, making it difficult for the organizers to continue with their tournament plans.
Sabalenka, fresh off the Indian Wells win, is looking forward to capturing the second leg of the Sunshine Doubles as well, having won it last year by defeating American Jessica Pegula. She will either face Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell or American Ann Li in her second-round match.
Gauff, on the other hand, enters as the fourth seed, receiving a first-round bye, and will either face Elisabetta Cocciaretto or Latvian star Darja Semenistaja in her second-round match. She could face Maria Sakkari in the third round before facing Elise Mertens or Linda Nosková in the fourth round.
