Lucky losers step in as withdrawals shake Dubai draw, reignite calendar debate

Feb 16 : Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko withdrew from the Dubai Tennis Championships on Monday, becoming the latest prominent player to be ruled out due to injury, illness or scheduling changes and leaving seven lucky losers to fill the depleted main draw.

The 19-year-old, who entered the world's top 10 for the first time after her run to last week's Qatar Open final, pulled out with a right elbow issue and was replaced by Croatian Petra Marcinko in the main draw.

One of several WTA 1000 tournaments that sit below only the four Grand Slam tournaments in stature, the Dubai event has been hit by a spate of withdrawals, including that of top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka due to a minor hip problem.

Iga Swiatek, Karolina Muchova (both schedule change), Maria Sakkari, Zheng Qinwen (both illness) and Elisabetta Cocciaretto (thigh injury) are also out.

Sakkari suggested in Doha on Friday after losing her semi-final against eventual champion Muchova in three sets that playing another high-profile tournament immediately was not a welcome prospect.

"It's a very quick turnaround," Sakkari said.

"Right now I have no energy at all. I need food and fuel ... We decided we're going to play a more reduced calendar. Not that it means I'm going to play 10 to 12 tournaments a year, but we're not going to stupidly chase points and tournaments."

World number two Iga Swiatek had similarly indicated last year that the smart option for her would be to cut back on her schedule for the sake of her health, even if it meant skipping some mandatory tournaments.

Top players are obliged to compete in all four Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000 tournaments and six WTA 500 events under WTA rules, with the punishment for missing them ranging from ranking points penalties to