Double injury blow for Dubai Duty Free event as duo withdraw
Maria Sharapova and Madison Keys have both pulled out of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova, who suffered a first-round exit at the Qatar Open, accepted a wildcard to take part in the Dubai event, but has withdrawn due to a forearm injury.
World No 14 Keys, who was expected to make her Dubai debut, also won’t feature as she pulled out due to illness.
“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.”
Meanwhile, there was some good news for organisers as French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko has joined the field that will also include Simona Halep and defending champion Elina Svitolina.
Latest
-
Tennis NewsShock defeat for Andy Murray as he is beaten in Rennes
The Russian is ranked 42 places below Murray.
-
Tennis NewsJohn McEnroe speaks for the first time about comments over Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon exit
John McEnroe has insisted he has no…
-
Tennis NewsStunning TV figures for US Open finals confirm appeal of Emma Raducanu
The TV viewing figures are in for this year’s US Open and they confirm that more tuned in to watch the women’s final than the men’s final.
-
Tennis NewsEmma Raducanu thinking about a return to the court after US Open heroics
Raducanu has admitted to still being on “cloud nine” after her stunning US Open victory.
-
Tennis NewsLiverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gives a glowing reference to Emma Raducanu
Jurgen Klopp has given newly crowned US Open champion Emma Raducanu a glowing endorsement.
-
NewsBoris Johnson talks with Emma Raducanu and discusses growth of grassroots tennis
Jurgen Klopp and Jessica Ennis-Hill joined in with the widespread praise of the teenager from Kent.
-
NewsJurgen Klopp inspired by ‘talent of the century’ Emma Raducanu’s US Open win
The Reds boss was glued to his television on Saturday night.
-
NewsA look at each area of Emma Raducanu’s game as she looks to build on US Open win
Raducanu’s return of serve is arguably her strongest asset.
-
-
Tennis NewsWho claimed the most Twitter followers during the US Open? There is a big winner
New US Open champion Emma Raducanu has had a huge boost in her following after her heroics in New York.