Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa will face Czech player Katerina Siniakova on Monday at the Dubai tournament. This matchup was relocated to the main court due to the withdrawal of Canadian player Victoria Mboko. Mboko, who recently reached the finals in Doha and ranked as the world’s number 10, opted to take a break for recovery after sustaining an injury.
Badosa Faces Setback in Cursed Tournament
The changes in the tournament’s schedule continue as Victoria Mboko’s withdrawal is noted as the seventh in a short span. This has led to the Dubai tournament being referred to as the “cursed tournament.” With Mboko’s exit, only one of the eight qualifiers from the previous round will continue to compete, which is highly unusual on the WTA circuit.
Other Notable Withdrawals
In addition to Mboko, several high-profile players have also withdrawn from the event, including:
- Karolina Muchova
- Qinwen Zheng
- Maria Sakkari
- Elisabetta Cocciaretto
- Iga Swiatek
- Aryna Sabalenka
These withdrawals have sparked frustration among tournament organizers. Salah Tahlak, the tournament director, expressed his discontent, stating that monetary fines do little to resolve the issue. He referenced a past case with Serena Williams, emphasizing that financial penalties do not deter top players from opting out. Tahlak suggested that a reduction of ranking points might be a more effective deterrent against last-minute withdrawals.
Concerns from Tournament Directors
Tahlak acknowledged that the reasons given for the withdrawals were concerning. He noted that Iga Swiatek cited mental unpreparedness, while Aryna Sabalenka mentioned minor injuries. These explanations raised eyebrows among officials, leading to calls for stricter penalties for players who withdraw without substantial reasoning.
In addition to Badosa, Jessica Bouzas will also make her debut on Monday, taking on Swiss player Belinda Bencic, who is seeded ninth in the tournament.
As players and organizers navigate this challenging landscape, the tournament remains focused on ensuring a competitive environment, despite the setbacks faced this year.
