Opinion: Dubai WTA Masters 1000 series event could be in jeopardy

Aryna Sabalenka (Google Images)

One of the hot topics in the tennis world this week were comments made by world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Minsk, Belarus. According to Matthew Abbott of the Daily Express on Thursday, Sabalenka is voicing an opinion to controversial comments made by Dubai Tennis Championship tournament director Sarah Tahlak.

This past month, Sabalenka withdrew from Dubai because she “was not feeling 100%.” Sabalenka then decided to still compete at Indian Wells and won the tournament. In addition to Sabalenka, other players to miss Dubai included Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, Victoria Mboko and Karolina Muchova.

However, Sabalenka’s absence from the Middle East has frustrated Tahlak immensely. Tahlak is now suggesting that all players who miss tennis tournaments should be penalized significantly. The penalties would be a monetary fine in addition to a loss in WTA points.

Sabakenka has now reacted to Tahlak’s comments. Her reaction to Tahlak’s comments are the following: “I don’t think he showed himself in the best way possible. For me, it’s actually so sad to see the tournament directors and the tournaments are not protecting us as players. They just care about their sellings, about their tournament, and that’s it. His comment was ridiculous. I’m not sure if I ever want to go there after his comment. For me, it’s too much.”

Did Tahlak’s comments cross the line? Two players who have voiced support for Sabalenka are American Coco Gauff and Sabalenka. If more players take objection to Tahlak’s comments, the prestige of the tournament could be in question as long as Tahlak is tournament director.