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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Jamie Braidwood

Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek both withdraw from one of the WTA’s biggest events

Aryna Sabalenka Iga Swiatek WTA Elena Rybakina Emma Raducanu Tennis
Aryna Sabalenka has not played since losing the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina - (AFP via Getty Images)

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka and world No 2 Iga Swiatek have both withdrawn from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, one of the biggest tournaments on the WTA’s calendar, to deepen the row over the sport’s schedule.

Both Sabalenka and Swiatek signalled around the Australian Open that they would prepared to be penalised for skipping WTA 1000 tournaments, following criticism over the schedule of events. Sabalenka branded the season as “insane” in January.

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