Image courtesy of Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships
Maria Sharapova will not attempt to complete the “Desert Double” this week at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships.
The fifth seed has withdrawn from the Tier II tournament due to a viral illness.
Sharapova, who was scheduled to play her first round match on Centre Court this evening, is disappointed that she will be unable to compete in the tournament, which this year attracted nine of the top ten players on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
“I was really excited to come to Dubai this week and was very much looking forward to playing the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships,” said Sharapova in a statement released by the tournament.
“Unfortunately I have been battling a virus for several days and it’s reached a point where I’m unable to compete. This is really disappointing to me, but I do intend to come back to Dubai next year and hopefully have a great tournament.”
Sharapova won last week’s Qatar Total Open in Doha. In 2007, Justine Henin won both Doha and Dubai, completing the Desert Double.
“We are obviously disappointed that Maria will not be playing in Dubai as we know that she enjoys playing here and is extremely popular with the crowds,” said Colm McLoughlin, the Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free.
“However, we understand her need to rest as a result of this illness and wish her a speedy recovery.”
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