Dubai Pullout Gives Azarenka and Williams A Light Penalty

Written by: Staff on 27th February 2013

Dubai Pullout Gives Azarenka and Williams A Light Penalty

epa03591997 Serena Williams of US speaks during a press conference during the third day of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 February 2013. Williams has been forced to withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to a lower back injury. EPA/ALI HAIDER |

Last week’s pullout disaster at the WTA Dubai Open will end up costing protagonists Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams a pair of wrist-slap financial sanctions after the pair followed each other’s example by withdrawing at the last minute from the event by claiming injury.

Williams who had only returned to No. 1 in the rankings a day earlier, was the most high-profile offender, pulling out less than half an hour prior to her opening match with a back issue and leaving a huge hole in the field. Azarenka claimed a foot injury as reason for her withdrawal, the same injury she had in quitting the event before the start in 2012 as well.

The pair of multi-millionaires will see $100,000 (Azarenka) and $50,000 (Williams) deducted from their rich end-of-season bonuses from a pool which will total nearly $5 million to be split among the ranking top 10. Both absent players will also receive zero points for the Dubai week, which could mathematically dent their rankings just slightly.

Beleaguered tournament director Salah Tahlak was stung with the dual withdrawals, calling them “disappointing both for the tournament and for the fans, some of whom come from all over the world to see them play”.

@Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Dubai tennis news, Serena Williams, Sports, Tennis News, Victoria Azarenka, WTA Dubai Open