Naomi Osaka will not be participating in the Dubai tournament this year, along with defending champion Barbora Krejcikova. Both players have withdrawn from the upcoming WTA 1000 event in the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier this week, the organizers of the Dubai tournament announced that Osaka, 26 years old, would be making her return to the tournament for the first time since 2019. However, after winning her round-of-16 match in Doha, Osaka decided to withdraw from Dubai.
Osaka, who recently made her comeback after a 16-month break, competed in Abu Dhabi last week and won her first three matches in Doha. It seems that Osaka believes competing for a third consecutive week would be too strenuous, especially after her successful run in Doha. She is likely thinking long-term and wants to avoid overexertion early in her return.
On the other hand, Krejcikova, who missed the WTA 1000 event in Doha due to a back injury, will also be absent from Dubai. She won the title in Dubai last year after defeating Iga Swiatek in the final.
In a statement, the Dubai tournament expressed their regret over the withdrawals of both players and wished them the best for the rest of the 2024 season. They also look forward to seeing both players return to Dubai in the future.
Osaka had previously participated in the Dubai tournament three times between 2017 and 2019, reaching the quarterfinals in 2018. In a statement, Osaka apologized for her withdrawal and expressed her love for playing in Dubai in previous years. She also wished the organizers a successful event in 2024.
Krejcikova, the 2023 Dubai champion, shared her disappointment over missing this year’s tournament. She mentioned her fond memories of competing in Dubai and her eagerness to return. However, her back injury requires more time to heal, and she is determined to come back stronger next year.
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org