Coco Gauff’s former coach has recently shared his thoughts on the surprising number of player withdrawals from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, citing injuries and scheduling as reasons. The withdrawal of players subsequently increased the number of lucky losers entering the tournament, which is scheduled from February 15 to 21, 2026.
Coco Gauff’s Former Coach Reflects on the Dubai Event Facing Withdrawals and Lucky Losers
The WTA 1000 outdoor hard-court tournament at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre is underway, with Elena Rybakina entering the event as the first seed, Amanda Anisimova as the second, Coco Gauff as the third, Jessica Pegula as the fourth, Mirra Andreeva as the fifth, and so on. The last seeded player is the 18-year-old American rising star, Iva Jović, competing as the 16th seed.
However, the star-studded lineup was missing the top two players, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek, who had announced their late withdrawal from the tournament. The former skipped due to a right hip injury, and the latter, due to scheduling. Along with them, Maria Sakkari and Qinwen Zheng withdrew due to illness, and Victoria Mboko couldn’t play due to a right elbow injury.
Whereas Karolína Muchová, the Qatar Open winner, couldn’t compete due to scheduling, Barbora Krejčíková and Elisabetta Cocciaretto also remained absent due to left thigh injuries. Along with these absentees, the lucky losers were Hailey Baptiste, Antonia Ružić, Anastasia Zakharova, Petra Marčinko, Peyton Stearns, Kamilla Rakhimova, and Magdalena Fręch.
Through his recent X post, the former World No. 4 player-turned-coach, Brad Gilbert, wrote, highlighting his disbelief, “Just looking 👀 at women’s draw ✍️ at Dubai, Oouch so many withdrawals and walkovers so early in the tournament 🏟️ and maybe record number of LL @BastienFachan.”
Just looking 👀 at women’s draw ✍️ at Dubai, Oouch so many withdrawals and walkovers so early in the tournament 🏟️ and maybe record number of LL @BastienFachan
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) February 17, 2026
After the withdrawals, the tournament director, Salah Tahlak, has asked for strict measures, adding, “The reasons for withdrawal were a bit strange. I think there should be a harsher punishment. I feel they should deduct points from the players. A monetary fine won’t help. It’s a shame that we’re spending these huge amounts to upgrade our facilities and in the end the players are the main part (of this tournament).”
READ MORE: Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka Under Fire As Dubai Director Demands ‘Harsher Punishment’ After ‘Strange’ Abandonment
The tournament also saw Baptiste retire from her round-of-64 match against Alexandra Eala due to an abdominal injury. Paula Badosa also retired from her round-of-32 match against Elina Svitolina at 6-4 due to health reasons, leaving the court with a heavy heart.