DUBAI: Reigning Dubai champion Barbora Krejcikova and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka have withdrawn from this year’s Dubai Tennis Championships, tournament organizers have confirmed.

“We regret to inform you that Barbora Krejcikova and Naomi Osaka have pulled out of this year’s tournament. We wish both players the best of luck for the rest of the 2024 season and look forward to seeing both players return to Dubai in the near future,” an official statement read.

Krejcikova, who defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets in last year’s final to lift her maiden Dubai title, will sit out this year’s WTA 1000 event due to an ongoing back issue.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce my withdrawal from the Dubai tournament,” the world No. 12 said. “This decision wasn’t easy, especially given my fond memories and anticipation to compete again. However, my back injury requires further healing time. But I am committed to returning stronger next year.”

Osaka said of her absence from this year’s competition: “I’m really sorry that I have to withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this season. I have loved playing in Dubai in previous years, and I want to wish the tournament organizers a successful event in 2024.”

Meanwhile, teenage prodigy Celine Simunyu will make history at the championships on Friday by becoming the first Irish female player to be awarded a wildcard for the qualifying rounds of the WTA event.

The 19-year-old, the No. 1 ranked Irish women’s tennis player, has been representing her country in the Billie Jean Cup since 2021. Currently ranked 633 in the WTA rankings, Simunyu will face No. 61 Cristina Bucsa on Court 7 this afternoon in the first qualifying round of the Dubai tournament.

Simunyu recently tasted success with Swiss doubles partner Sebastiana Scilipoti at the ITF/Tennis Europe W15 in Turkiye, while opponent Bucsa reached the quarter-finals of the women’s singles at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and the same stage at the Qatar Open doubles tournament.