DUBAI: Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki withdrew from the Dubai Championships on Monday due to a viral illness before her first round match against Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele.
Wozniacki, who won the 2011 title in Dubai, also missed last week’s Qatar Open because of the issue which she first felt around the Christmas period and the problem lingered with her through the Australian Open.
She failed to retain her Melbourne crown after losing to Maria Sharapova in the third round of this year’s tournament and is yet to return to the court.
“It sucks. I’ve gotten ready to play these two weeks (Doha and Dubai) where I usually play well,” the Dane said.
“If I can’t even play at a reasonable level, there’s no reason for me to go out there and just play one set — I want to go out there and I want to win,” she added.
Wozniacki has been replaced by losing Slovenian qualifier Polona Hercog.
Doha champion Elize Mertens was eliminated after a three-hour struggle, losing to China’s 107th-ranked Zhu Lin 5-7, 6-4, 7-5.
The Belgian received treatment at the two and a half hour mark for hip and leg problems as she felt the effects of last week’s victory.
Lin, who’s best Grand Slam performance came in losing at the third round of last year’s US Open plays world No. 23 Lesia Tsurenko next.
Caroline Wozniacki out of Dubai Tennis Championships with virus
Caroline Wozniacki out of Dubai Tennis Championships with virus
- Second week running the former World No. 1 has had to pull out of a tournament.
- She said: "If I can’t even play at a reasonable level, there’s no reason for me to go out there."
Iraq’s hopes of qualifying for first World Cup finals in 40 years under threat amid regional conflict
- National team head coach Graham Arnold unable to leave the UAE as a result of airspace closures arising from US-Israeli war against Iran
- With many embassies across the region closed as a result of the conflict, players and support staff fear they will be unable to obtain visas they need to travel abroad for games
BEIRUT: Iraq’s hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in 40 years are threatened by the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Iran responded to airstrikes by the US and Israel, which began on Saturday, by launching missiles and drones at a number of Gulf nations, many of which subsequently closed their airspace. Graham Arnold, the head coach of the Iraqi national team, is currently unable to leave the UAE because of this.
In addition, with many countries closing their embassies across the region as a result of the conflict, players and support staff fear they will not be able to obtain the visas they need to travel abroad to play.
Iraq are due to play Bolivia or Suriname in the Mexican city of Monterrey on Mar. 31 in a playoff for one of the remaining qualification places for the World Cup, which will be hosted this summer by the US, Mexico and Canada.
In a message posted on social media platform X, the Iraqi team management said discussions with FIFA continue over arrangements for the playoff given recent security developments in the Middle East.
“FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation are fully aware of every development regarding our team’s situation,” it said. “Because of airspace closures, our head coach, Arnold, is unable to leave the UAE.
“In addition, several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several professional players, technical and medical staff members from obtaining entry visas to Mexico.
“We assure our loyal supporters that we remain in close contact with both FIFA and the AFC, who are keeping tabs on the situation.”
If Iraq manage to qualify, they would join France, Senegal and Norway in Group I when the competition kicks off in June.
