Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships citing pain in her forearms.
Former World No. 1 Sharapova, who lost to two-time Major champion Angelique Kerber of Germany at the Australian Open and was beaten by Monica Niculescu in her Qatar Open opener in Doha on Monday, hasn’t been in the best of form in 2018. The Russian’s only appearance in Dubai came way back in 2006 and she had accepted a wildcard to gain entry into this year’s tournament in the Emirates.
The 30-year-old Siberian Siren hasn’t been able to attain the lofty standards since returning from a 15-month doping suspension in April 2017, compiling a not so impressive 21-10 win/loss record, including a sole tournament victory in Tianjin last October.
On the other hand, US Open runner-up Madison Keys pulled out of the event due to an undisclosed illness. The American was defeated by Catherine Bellis in the second round of the WTA competition in Doha before announcing her decision to skip the tournament in Dubai.
“Unfortunately both Maria Sharapova and Madison Keys have regretfully had to withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to injury and illness,” tournament director Salah Tahlak said in a statement.
“We are sorry that neither Maria nor Madison will be able to play in Dubai, but we still have one of the strongest fields ever assembled for the WTA event.
“Maria said that she is very sorry she cannot be here and hopes to come back next year. We wish her and Madison a speedy recovery.”
The tournament gets underway on Monday with Australian Open runner-up Simona Halep, defending champion Elina Svitolina, Wimbledon winner Garbine Muguruza, former World No. 2 Petra Kvitova, and Kerber headlining a star-studded field at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
