Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships has been hit by a series of player injuries, with world No.1 Victoria Azarenka becoming the latest top seed to pull out.
Azarenka, World No.1 and Australian Open winner, was a hot favourite to win the $2m prize but has been forced to withdraw with an ankle injury, organisers confirmed on Wednesday.
“The many fans of Victoria Azarenka were looking forward to welcoming her as the world’s No. 1 player. However, due to an ankle injury, Victoria has been forced to withdraw from the tournament. We know how disappointed she is and we wish her a speedy recovery. We look forward to welcoming her back in Dubai next year,” said Salah Tahlak, tournament director at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
“We are very disappointed that Victoria cannot play in Dubai this year,” added Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free. “However, we are looking forward to watching some outstanding players, including US Open winner Samantha Stosur and our defending champion, Caroline Wozniacki.”
Azarenka is latest in a series of top players to withdraw from the tournament due to injury. Yesterday, world No.16 Dominika Cibulkova retired with a hamstring injury and world No.22 Maria Kirilenko suffered a neck injury.
World No.3 and Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova announced On Monday on her Facebook page she had pulled out due to illness. Injury also claimed French Open winner and world No.9 Li Na and world No.8 Vera Zvonareva, who both also withdrew on Monday.
Even before the tournament started, world No.31 Kaia Kanepi pulled out with a shoulder injury, while back stress meant world No.10 Andrea Petkovic could not take to the courts.
The women’s final takes place on Saturday February 25.
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