Dubai withdrawal criticism ridiculous – Sabalenka

World number one Aryna Sabalenka says criticism of her late withdrawal from the Dubai Championships last month is “ridiculous” and that she may not play at the tournament again.

Belarusian Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, world number two at the time, pulled out of the WTA 1000 event on 13 February, two days before it started.

Tournament director Salah Tahlak said last month that Sabalenka and Poland’s Swiatek should be docked ranking points.

“It’s actually so sad to see that the tournament directors and the tournaments not protecting us as players. They just care about their [sales], about their tournament and that’s it.

“I’m not sure if I ever want to go there after his comment. For me it’s too much.”

Sabalenka won the Indian Wells title on Sunday, her first tournament since losing the final of the Australian Open in January.

“Going into this season, we decided… to prioritise my health and make sure we have these little gaps in the schedule where I can reset, recharge, work and be better prepared for bigger tournaments,” said Sabalenka, who will attempt to defend her Miami Open title this week.

“I feel like the scheduling is going crazy and that’s why you see so many players injured, always taped and not delivering the best quality matches because it’s almost impossible.”

American two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff said: “Iga and Aryna have played that tournament so many times and it wasn’t anything personal to it.

“It’s tough. We’re trying our best to play the calendar. I completely understand why she would feel like that because the comments were unnecessary.”

British number three Katie Boulter began her Miami Open campaign with a 7-6 (11-9) 6-4 win over Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the first round.

Boulter, who won the Ostrava Open last month and has climbed to 67 in the rankings after falling out of the top 100, saved six set points as she fought back from 6-2 down in the first-set tie-break against the world number 48.

“I know how good a player she is and the level and quality of our tennis tonight was good,” said Boulter.

“It was difficult. I felt like I was having to hit a winner or she was going to hit one.”