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Indian Wells Today
By the People, for the People
World No. 1 and No. 2 withdraw from Dubai WTA 1000 tournament
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek will both miss the event in the United Arab Emirates
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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The top two players in women's tennis, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek, have withdrawn from next week's Dubai Tennis Championships, a mandatory WTA 1000 event. Neither player cited a specific injury, with Świątek saying it was due to a 'change of schedule' and Sabalenka stating she was 'not feeling 100 percent'. The withdrawals highlight the players' concerns over the demanding WTA schedule, which requires them to compete in a high number of mandatory events.
Why it matters
Sabalenka and Świątek's decisions to skip the Dubai tournament underscore the growing tension between the WTA's mandatory event requirements and the players' desire to manage their schedules and physical well-being. As the top two ranked players, their withdrawals shine a spotlight on the challenges elite tennis players face in balancing the demands of the tour with their long-term health and development.
The details
Both Sabalenka and Świątek have been vocal critics of the WTA's packed schedule, with Sabalenka calling it 'insane' and Świątek describing it as 'a madness'. The players are required to compete in all four Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000 tournaments, and six WTA 500 events under the association's rules. This has led to concerns about player burnout and injuries, with Sabalenka saying she had 'trouble with making this kind of decision' to skip events last year.
- The Dubai Tennis Championships begin on February 15, 2026.
The players
Aryna Sabalenka
The current world No. 1 women's tennis player.
Iga Świątek
The current world No. 2 women's tennis player.
What they’re saying
“I'm not feeling 100 percent.”
— Aryna Sabalenka (Dubai Tennis Championships)
“My decision to withdraw is due to a change of schedule.”
— Iga Świątek (Dubai Tennis Championships)
“Last year I had trouble with making this kind of decision, but this year I'm trying to change my approach. So I think, for sure, we'll skip some 1000 tournaments.”
— Iga Świątek (News conference)
“The WTA has made this a madness with all these mandatory rules. It's impossible to fit everything in the calendar. I don't think any elite player can manage it.”
— Iga Świątek (News conference)
What’s next
Sabalenka and Świątek are both expected to return to competition at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, which begins on March 4, 2026.
The takeaway
The withdrawals of Sabalenka and Świątek from the Dubai WTA 1000 tournament highlight the growing tension between the demands of the WTA tour schedule and the players' need to manage their health and development. As the top two players in the world, their decisions to skip this mandatory event underscore the challenges elite tennis players face in balancing the sport's requirements with their long-term interests.
