Maria Sharapova and Madison Keys pull out of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

By Sky Sports Tennis

Image: Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to injury

Former world No 1 Maria Sharapova and US Open finalist Madison Keys have pulled out of next week's Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova, who had a accepted a wildcard to make her first appearance at the tournament since 2006, decided to withdraw with a forearm injury.

Sharapova lost her opening-round match at the Qatar Open on Monday to Romania's Monica Niculescu in three sets and is currently ranked 41 in the world.

The 30-year-old Russian has a 21-10 win-loss record since her return from a doping ban last April.

American world No 14 Keys, who was expected to make her Dubai debut, has withdrawn due to illness.

Advertisement
Image: US Open finalist Madison Keys will not play in Dubai because of illness

"Unfortunately both Maria Sharapova and Madison Keys have regretfully had to withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to injury and illness," tournament director Salah Tahlak said in a statement.

"We are sorry that neither Maria nor Madison will be able to play in Dubai, but we still have one of the strongest fields ever assembled for the WTA event.

Also See:

"Maria said that she is very sorry she cannot be here and hopes to come back next year. We wish her and Madison a speedy recovery."

The tournament begins on Monday with world No 2 Simona Halep set to lead the field alongside defending champion Elina Svitolina.

We will be covering the Rio Open, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, and ATP 500 Acapulco this February on sky.mnosports.com/tennis with news, previews, live blogs, reports and expert analysis.

Tennis updates straight to your phone

How to receive all the latest tennis news straight to your mobile

On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.

Outbrain