The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships began with the Round of 64 in full swing, setting an early competitive tone. Yet the spotlight faded quickly as Zheng Qinwen joined the growing withdrawal list. Her exit adds to the absence of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, reshaping the tournament’s star power.

Three top players from Doha have withdrawn from the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Zheng Qinwen and Maria Sakkari pulled out due to illness. Karolina Muchova withdrew because of fatigue. The withdrawals were confirmed on Sunday.

Muchova’s decision came after a demanding week in Doha. She had a deep run and played several tough matches. The physical toll appears to have forced her to step back. Her exit is a significant loss for the Dubai field.

Last year, Muchova reached the semifinals, where she faced Clara Tauson. This season, she will not be able to defend those ranking points. Still, her recent success will help her rise in the rankings. She is projected to move closer to the Top 10, virtually at No. 13.

Her withdrawal came just one day after a career milestone. Muchova won her first WTA 1000 title at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open. She defeated Victoria Mboko 6-4, 7-5 in the final. The victory marked the biggest title of her career.

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It was also her second career singles title. Her first came six years ago at the 2019 Korea Open. The Doha triumph capped an impressive and emotional week. However, the quick turnaround proved difficult.

“I haven’t had a second to think about anything yet, but I’ll for sure go to Dubai tomorrow and see how I feel and decide there,” Muchova said Saturday. Ultimately, she chose to prioritize recovery. Her place in the draw has now been adjusted.

In the first round, Muchova was scheduled to face qualifier Moyuka Uchijima. With Muchova out, Uchijima will now play lucky loser Anastasia Zakharova. The change reshapes that section of the draw. It also opens an opportunity for a new contender.

Zheng Qinwen has also withdrawn after her Doha campaign. She had been set to face Peyton Stearns in the opening round. Stearns, meanwhile, defeated lucky loser Magdalena Frech 6-4, 6-2 on Sunday. The adjustment adds further movement to the draw.

Sakkari was preparing for a key first-round match against Iva Jovic [16]. With Sakkari out, Jovic will now face lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova. The Greeks’ withdrawal removes another high-profile name. The early rounds now look very different.

Zheng had only recently returned to competition in Doha. It was her first tournament after more than five months away. She reached the Round of 16 with some strong performances. Her allowance and match time showed encouraging signs.

In her opening match, Zheng hit 20 aces to beat Sofia Kenin in three sets. She then defeated Alycia Parks, again in three sets. Her run ended against Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, who won 6-4, 2-6, 5-7. Despite the loss, the week marked positive progress.

“I hope [by] playing more matches this will get better,” Zheng said in Doha after playing Rybakina. “[I’m] always looking for things to improve, and that’s what I see from this week.” Her withdrawal suggests she is managing her workload carefully. Recovery remains a priority.

These exits follow earlier withdrawals from the tournament. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek had already pulled out days ago. 

Sabalenka said, “I’m really sorry, I have to withdraw from Dubai. I have such a special connection with the tournament, the fans, and the city. Unfortunately, I am not feeling 100%. But I hope to be back next year and wish the tournament a great event.” Swiatek cited a “change of schedule.” 

With several top names missing, the Dubai field has now taken a major hit.

Naomi Osaka withdraws from Dubai after Australian Open injury

Along with other top names, Naomi Osaka has also withdrawn from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The four-time Grand Slam champion pulled out, citing an abdominal injury. 

Osaka had survived back-to-back three-set matches at the Australian Open. The injury forced her to skip the opening WTA 1000 tournament of the season in Dubai. This also means she won’t make her long-awaited return to the tournament.

Early in her career, Osaka appeared in Dubai three consecutive times from 2017 to 2019. Her best result came in 2018, reaching the quarterfinals. Fans were anticipating another strong showing from the 28-year-old.

Madison Keys has also withdrawn from the Middle East swing. Keys could not defend her Australian Open title this year. She has now missed both Doha and Dubai. Keys has not competed in the Middle East since 2023. Her withdrawal aligns with her recent scheduling choices.

Another American, McCartney Kessler, has also pulled out. Currently ranked No. 32, she has been dealing with a back injury. The issue has disrupted her schedule during the Middle East swing.

With these withdrawals, the Dubai tournament has lost several star players. The draw has shifted significantly. The field now opens opportunities for other competitors to make deep runs.

After Karolina Muchova’s heroics in Qatar, fans are eager to see who will claim the second Masters event of the season. The absence of big names makes the race more unpredictable.