Amanda Anisimova is through to the third round in Dubai for the first time-but not in the way anyone hoped. Her opponent, Barbora Krejčíková, withdrew ahead of their second-round match, citing a left thigh injury. That makes it eight withdrawals from the tournament so far, a number that’s raising more than a few eyebrows across the tennis world.
Krejčíková’s exit is the latest in a string of high-profile withdrawals that’s left the Dubai draw looking like a game of musical chairs. Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka had already pulled out earlier in the week, and now Krejčíková joins the list, which also includes names like Leylah Fernandez, Zheng Qinwen, and Victoria Mboko. The timing couldn’t be worse for the tournament, especially after organizers invested heavily in renovations, including a revamped main court.
There’s been some chatter around the tournament director’s recent comments-he reportedly floated the idea of penalizing players who withdraw, suggesting fines or even docking ranking points. That statement didn’t age particularly well, as several more players promptly pulled out in the days that followed. Whether that’s coincidence or not, it’s clear that player health is becoming a central issue in early-season events.
As for Krejčíková, the injury bug continues to bite. The Czech star has been battling a series of setbacks over the past few seasons, and this latest thigh issue adds to a growing list that includes knee problems and other lower-body concerns. It’s frustrating not just for her, but for fans of her uniquely creative, all-court style-a brand of tennis that’s increasingly rare on tour.
When healthy, Krejčíková is one of the most versatile and dangerous players in the game. She’s already a two-time Grand Slam singles champion and has built a doubles résumé worthy of the Hall of Fame.
But the stop-start nature of her singles career has made it difficult for her to build momentum. Since her breakout win at Roland Garros in 2021, her performances have often been dictated more by her physical condition than by her talent.
She’s 30 now, and while that’s far from old in today’s game, it does make recovery and consistency a tougher hill to climb-especially with the physical demands of her playing style. Krejčíková’s tennis is built on precision, variety, and movement, which means even minor injuries can throw off her rhythm in a big way.
Still, there’s a lot of admiration for what she’s accomplished, especially considering she didn’t fully break through as a singles player until her mid-20s. Her eight singles titles, including two Slams, stack up well against other multi-major winners. And while she might not have the week-to-week hardware of someone like Petra Kvitová or Simona Halep, her peak level is right there with the best of them.
As for Anisimova, she moves on, but not in the way any competitor wants. She’s shown flashes of strong form in her comeback this season, and getting deeper into a tournament like Dubai-even via walkover-could give her the rhythm she needs heading into the spring swing. Still, she would’ve preferred to earn it the hard way, especially against a player of Krejčíková’s caliber.
With the growing list of withdrawals, the WTA’s early-season calendar might be due for a closer look. Whether it’s scheduling, surfaces, or just bad luck, the volume of injuries is becoming hard to ignore.
For now, fans will be hoping the rest of the Dubai draw holds together-and that Krejčíková, one of the game’s most watchable talents when healthy, can get back on court soon. Tennis is simply better when she’s in the mix.