World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she is unsure about returning to Dubai after the tournament director criticised her withdrawal - labelling the demand for tougher penalties on late pull-outs a "ridiculous" idea.
Sabalenka and world No 3 Iga Swiatek were among several players ruled out due to injury, illness or scheduling changes, leaving lucky losers to fill the depleted main draw in Dubai and taking gloss off the WTA 1000 event only below the Grand Slams in stature.
Indian Wells champion Sabalenka cited a minor hip injury when she pulled out of the tournament last month, before the US-Israeli war with Iran sparked chaos in the region.
At the time, Dubai tournament director Salah Tahlak told The National that Sabalenka and Swiatek pulling out had been an "unfortunate surprise" for the organisers and sought strict action for late withdrawals with ranking points being docked.
"I think it's ridiculous," Sabalenka told reporters at the Miami Open. "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 not protecting us as players. 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."
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.
Coco Gauff urged a more understanding view of Swiatek and Sabalenka pulling out of Dubai.
"I just feel Iga and Aryna have played that tournament so many times and it wasn't anything personal to it," Gauff said.
"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."
The ATP and WTA have faced criticism due to their 11-month seasons, and both came under scrutiny towards the end of last year with several matches in the Asian swing unable to be completed due to injuries.
Sabalenka, who will defend her Miami Open trophy, said she had opted to be more selective this season to negotiate the demands of a relentless circuit.
"Going into this season, we decided to prioritise my health and make sure we have these little gaps in the schedule where I can reset, recharge, work and be better prepared for bigger tournaments," said Sabalenka, who also skipped Doha.
"I feel like the scheduling is going crazy and that's why you see so many players injured, always taped and not delivering the best quality matches because it's almost impossible."
Speaking to Your Site' Laura Robson, Sabalenka reflected on her epic victory over Elena Rybakina in California, saying: "It was a crazy match, but those are the kind of finals I want to play because in those kind of moments you grow and you get better as a player and as a person as well.
"It was an important win for me. I lost the Indian Wells final two times so I didn't want it to happen again. I wanted to prove to myself I can come back stronger."
Four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka now has her sights set on completing the 'Sunshine Double'.
Only four women have achieved the unique double - Steffi Graf (1994 and 1996), Kim Clijsters (2005), Victoria Azarenka (2016) and, most recently, Iga Swiatek (2022).
"It would be huge but who knows what the future holds, " said Sabalenka. "I would love to achieve that but I just want to take it one step at a time."
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