World number one Serena Williams and German world number 32 Sabine Lisicki have withdrawn from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Williams has withdrawn due to the flu and Lisicki due to illness as well. Neither one has played since the Australian Open in January. Both Williams and Lisicki are not scheduled to play again until Indian Wells and Miami in March.
Williams Discusses Her Withdrawal
"I’m disappointed to have to withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. I have come down with the flu and I am not at 100%, so I need to take this time to recuperate," said the 21-time Grand Slam champion. "I look forward to returning to one of my favorite parts of the world and seeing my fans soon."
Williams' Previous Dubai Runs
Williams first played in Dubai in 2005, where she retired in the semifinals against Jelena Jankovic. Williams played again in 2009, making the semifinals before losing to older sister Venus in a third set tiebreak. Most recently, the American played in Dubai in 2014, losing for a third time in the semifinals to Frenchwoman Alize Cornet in straight sets. This is the American's second straight withdrawal from Dubai. Last year, she did not play due to a viral illness. In 2013, Williams also pulled out due to injury.
Lisicki's Previous Dubai Runs
Lisicki first played in Dubai in 2010, where she fell in the second round to seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams in straight sets. In 2012, the German made the quarterfinals before losing in straight sets to Pole Agnieszka Radwanska. In 2014, Lisicki fell in the first round to Caroline Wozniacki in three sets. Most recently, the former Wimbledon finalist played in 2015. Last year, she fell to former French Open winner Ana Ivanovic in straight sets.
Williams' Start To 2016
The 21-time Grand Slam champion began her season by pulling out of the Hopman Cup due to knee inflammation. At the first major of the year in Melbourne, Williams made it all the way to the final before a disappointing loss to German Angelique Kerber. Williams has not played since her loss to Kerber in the Australian Open final.
Lisicki's Disappointing Start To 2016
The former Wimbledon finalist began her year at the Apia International in Sydney, losing to eventual champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round. The German also lost in the second round in Melbourne. She lost to Czech Denisa Allertova in a crushing three set loss.
Who's Playing In Dubai
World number three and defending champion Simona Halep is the top seed, with Garbine Mugurza, Carla Suarez Navarro, and Petra Kvitova rounding out the top four seeds. The tournament has dealt with many withdrawals, including Angelique Kerber, Agneiszka Radwanska, Lucie Safarova, and Caroline Wozniacki to go along with Williams and Lisicki's withdrawals. Though not the field tournament organizers expected, it should be a great week of high level tennis and drama at the WTA Premier event in Dubai.