Director says stronger penalties needed for withdrawals
Jack Draper continues comeback at Miami Open
Aryna Sabalenka says she may never return to compete at the Dubai Tennis Championships after she and Iga Swiatek were harshly criticised by the tournament director for their withdrawals from the tournament last month.
“I think it’s ridiculous,” Sabalenka said during her pre-tournament press conference 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 are not protecting us as a player. They just care about their sellings, 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.”
After the top two players withdrew from the tournament shortly before it began, the tournament director Salah Tahlak argued that top players should receive stronger penalties for last-minute withdrawals from events, including ranking points deductions. “I think there should be a harsher punishment on the players, not just fines, they should be docked ranking points.”
