Australian World Number one Ashleigh Barty had a trembling start of the season, as she lost to the qualifier Jennifer Brady in the opening round of Brisbane International. Later, she compensated for her loss in Brisbane by clinching the title in Adelaide.

However, now, Barty has pulled out from Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships 2020. She is suffering from a right foot injury. It has been persisting since she stormed into the semifinals of her home-country Slam,  Australian Open 2020.

“It’s disappointing” – Ashleigh Barty on Aussie Open loss

In Melbourne, Ashleigh Barty lost a close semifinal match against the eventual champion Sofia Kenin. She was just two points away from winning both the sets, but the home-favorite experienced a straight-set defeat at the Australian Open 2020 semifinals.

“It’s disappointing. But it’s been a hell of a summer. I mean, if you would have told me three weeks ago that we would have won a tournament in Adelaide, made the semifinals of the Australian Open, I’d take that absolutely every single day of the week,” the Australian said after her heavy loss.

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“But I put myself in a position to win the match today. I just didn’t play the biggest points well enough to be able to win. I have to give credit where credit’s due. Sofia came out and played aggressively on those points and deserved to win,” Barty added.

After Barty’s withdrawal from Dubai, the Romanian World Number two Simona Halep will be the top seed.

Ukraine’s two-time Dubai champion Elina Svitona accepted a wild card for the tournament. Last year she was defeated by the Swiss Belinda Bencic, who later progressed to clinch the title in UAE. 

“We have enjoyed many fine performances from Elina Svitolina and are delighted to welcome her to Dubai once again,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty-Free. “Although she was unable to claim her third title here last year she will once again be a favorite to lift the trophy.”

Dubai’s WTA event will start on February 17, 2020. The Grand Slam champions Bianca Andreescu and Sofia Kenin will be present for the tournament in the United Arab Emirates.