Top-seeded Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka openly criticized the Dubai Tennis Tournament director during a pre-tournament press conference on March 17, 2026, in Miami, raising doubts about returning to the Middle East event in the future.
Clashing With Tournament Officials
Sabalenka responded to criticism over her withdrawal from the Dubai WTA 1000 event, saying:
“I don’t think he showed the best image of himself. Ge crossed the line.”
She added: “For me, it’s really sad to see that tournament organizers don’t respect us as players. They only care about their ticket sales, their tournament, and that’s it. I’m not sure I want to go back there one day.”
The 27-year-old stressed the importance of managing her schedule, explaining that small breaks in the tennis calendar allow her to recover, recharge, and train for major tournaments.
Background: Withdrawal Controversy
Sabalenka had withdrawn from both Dubai and Doha WTA 1000 events last month. Her decision drew sharp criticism from Salah Tahlak, Dubai’s tournament director, who called the withdrawals a “bad surprise” and described the reasons as “strange.”
Tahlak suggested harsher penalties for players, including ranking point deductions, beyond the standard fines. He also lamented:
“It’s regrettable that we spend considerable sums to modernize our facilities, when in the end, it’s the players who make the tournament.”
Recent Form and Comeback
Aryna Sabalenka recently made a strong return at Indian Wells, winning the tournament for the first time in her career. Her comeback highlights her need for careful scheduling to maintain peak performance for major events, which contributed to her decision to skip the Middle East tournaments.
Sabalenka’s remarks signal a growing tension between top players and tournament organizers, emphasizing player well-being over event promotion and raising questions about her future participation in Dubai.
