The Middle East swing has suffered a major jolt. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and World No. 2 Iga Swiatek have officially withdrawn from the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, leaving fans stunned just days before the tournament begins.

The prestigious WTA 1000 event in Dubai is scheduled to run from Sunday, February 15, to Saturday, February 21, immediately following the ongoing Qatar Open. With Sabalenka and Swiatek ranked first and second in the world, respectively, they were expected to headline the draw as the top two seeds. Instead, World No. 3 Elena Rybakina will now lead the field as the top seed. Meanwhile, fourth-ranked Amanda Anisimova has been elevated to the No. 2 seed position. The reshuffle significantly alters the tournament landscape - but the bigger question remains: why did the top two pull out at the last moment?

Neither Sabalenka nor Swiatek cited a specific injury when confirming their withdrawals on Friday. However, both players have previously indicated plans to lighten their schedules in 2026.

Aryna Sabalenka has not competed since her Australian Open final loss to Rybakina last month and had already withdrawn from the Qatar Open earlier this week. While she refrained from detailing any particular physical issue, her statement hinted at fitness concerns. “I'm really sorry I have to withdraw from Dubai. I have such a special connection with the tournament, the fans, and the city. Unfortunately, I am not feeling 100%. But I hope to be back next year and wish the tournament a great event.”

Swiatek, on the other hand, recently exited the Qatar Open after a defeat to Maria Sakkari and has been navigating a lean patch by her lofty standards. The Pole has not lifted a trophy since the Korea Open in September last year and has been vocal about recalibrating her schedule. “I am sorry to announce that I will not be playing Dubai this year due to a change of schedule. I hope I will come back next year to experience the great tournament. See you guys in Indian Wells.”

The double withdrawal marks a significant setback for the Dubai organizers and fans alike. Both players command massive followings in the region and have been central attractions in recent editions. The tournament released a statement expressing disappointment: “They both have huge amounts of followers here in Dubai, and we were looking forward to seeing them competing on our courts once again…”

While the immediate focus shifts to how Dubai adapts without its two biggest stars, attention will soon turn toward the Sunshine Double. Both Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are expected to return for Indian Wells and Miami next month. However, even that remains uncertain. Swiatek admitted earlier this year that she may skip certain mandatory WTA 1000 events in order to refine her game and manage her workload more effectively. Even Sabalenka shared a similar thought last month.

What did Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek say while revealing that they’d skip some WTA events this year?

The 2026 season has already seen a noticeable shift in scheduling priorities among top stars, and both Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek had warned fans long before their recent withdrawals that they would scale back their calendars. For the world’s top players, the challenge isn’t just winning - it’s surviving the grind.

Back in August 2025, ahead of the Cincinnati Open, Sabalenka openly criticized the intensity of the WTA calendar, revealing how constant competition had taken a toll on her physically. “This season has been really intense, and it’s impossible to be on your best level every day of every week. I felt like I was getting really exhausted, even in Paris.” She went even further, calling the mandatory commitments unrealistic: “We are just trying to manage the energy a bit better because the schedule is really intense. It’s crazy what they are trying to make us do.

We are humans; like, it’s impossible to handle this intensity. Every week there is a mandatory tournament - the schedule is crazy, honestly.”

Under WTA rules, elite players must compete in the four Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000 events, and at least six WTA 500 tournaments, with penalties ranging from fines to ranking-point deductions if they skip events. Before the Australian Open, Aryna Sabalenka confirmed she would still reduce her schedule despite possible punishment.

“The rules are quite tricky with mandatory events, but I'm still skipping a couple of events in order to protect my body, because I struggled a lot last season.” She added that she often competed while sick or exhausted and accepted fines as the cost of protecting her health:

“Even though they are going to fine me by the end of the season… it’s insane what they do. They follow their interests, but they're not focusing on protecting all of us.”

Swiatek has echoed similar frustrations. The multi-time Grand Slam champion previously labeled the packed calendar “madness” during the China Open after multiple mid-match retirements highlighted player fatigue across the tour. Following her Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Elena Rybakina, she confirmed she would change her approach in 2026 - even if it meant skipping mandatory WTA 1000 tournaments.

“I don't feel it's possible to do that in the short period of time that we have between tournaments.” The Pole explained that improving her game requires actual training blocks - something the schedule rarely allows. “Last year I had trouble making this decision, but this year I think we'll skip some 1000 tournaments. If you want to improve your game… it will be nice to have some time. Unfortunately, the calendar doesn't give that.”

Sabalenka and Swiatek’s stance reflects a broader tension in modern tennis - balancing commercial commitments with athlete longevity. With increasingly physical play and near-year-round competition, top players are beginning to prioritize recovery and technical development over mandatory participation. What are your thoughts on this, though?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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