Doha
Sabalenka slams the door on Qatar WTA 1,000
Australian Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka has joined the growing exodus of top player from next week’s WTA 1,000 event in Doha which kicks off the February sweep through the Gulf.
Sabalenka, the world No. 1, looks like coming good on her vow to skip required tournaments if necessary in order to preserve her body – and perhaps, sanity – amid a Tour which hardly stops.
She withdrew less than a week after losing her second straight final in Melbourne, going out to Elena Rybakina after leading 3-0 in the final set.
The Doha field will also be missing WTA No. 6 Jessica Pegula, a semi-finalist st last week
Other notable absentees include four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, who will miss the entire Middle East swing and 2025 Aussie Open champion Madison Keys
US teen Iva Jovic, a surprise Melbourne quarter-finalist, will also be missing, joined by Marta Kostyuk, recovering from injury.
Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka runner up in Melbourne – by ISF Ltd