Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two ranked women’s tennis player, has indicated she will not return to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, following a dispute with tournament director Salah Tahlak. The Belarusian player publicly criticised Tahlak after her semi-final loss at the 2026 tournament, alleging unfair treatment and a lack of respect.
Sabalenka’s comments, reported by multiple news outlets including the New York Post and Sky Sports, centered on what she described as a “ridiculous” situation regarding scheduling and court assignments. Although the specifics of the scheduling dispute remain unclear, Sabalenka reportedly felt disadvantaged by the arrangements. She did not elaborate on the exact nature of the disadvantage in her public statements.
“For the organisers, players are just…,” Sabalenka stated, trailing off without completing the sentence, according to reports. This ambiguous statement, coupled with her direct criticism of Tahlak, prompted speculation about a deeper issue between the player and tournament management.
The Guardian reported that Sabalenka may now avoid competing for championships in Dubai as a result of the incident. The potential absence of the world number two would represent a significant loss for the tournament, which aims to attract top-tier talent.
As of Saturday, March 21, 2026, neither the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships nor Salah Tahlak have issued a public response to Sabalenka’s accusations. Tournament officials have remained silent on the matter, and it is currently unknown whether any attempt has been made to address Sabalenka’s concerns privately.
Front Office Sports reported that Sabalenka suggested she would “never play in Dubai Tournament again.” This strong statement indicates a potentially irreparable breakdown in the relationship between the player and the tournament organisers. The situation leaves the future of Sabalenka’s participation in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships uncertain.
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