Swiatek Withdraws from Dubai Championships Due to Shoulder Injury

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from next week's Dubai Tennis Championships due to a persistent shoulder injury, dealing a significant blow to one of the WTA Tour's marquee events during the Middle East swing.

The 24-year-old Polish star announced her withdrawal through social media today, expressing disappointment at missing the tournament where she reached the semifinals last year. Swiatek's decision comes after she was seen receiving treatment during practice sessions in recent days and consulted with her medical team.

"I'm heartbroken to announce that I won't be able to compete in Dubai next week," Swiatek wrote on Instagram. "My shoulder has been bothering me for the past few weeks, and my medical team has advised that I need to take time to properly address this issue before it becomes something more serious."

The injury appears to have been developing since the Australian Open, where Swiatek reached the fourth round before losing to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. Sources close to the player's camp suggest the issue stems from the intense schedule and the physical demands of her powerful groundstroke game.

Swiatek's withdrawal creates an opportunity for other top players in Dubai's strong field. Second-seeded Jessica Pegula now becomes the tournament favorite, while former world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will also be expected to make a deep run in Swiatek's absence.

Dubai Tournament Director Salah Tahlak expressed understanding for Swiatek's situation while acknowledging the disappointment for fans. "Player health and wellbeing always comes first," Tahlak stated. "We fully support Iga's decision and look forward to welcoming her back when she's fully recovered."

The withdrawal raises questions about Swiatek's preparation for the upcoming Indian Wells Masters, scheduled to begin March 6th. The tournament in California marks the beginning of the crucial North American hard court season, and Swiatek will be eager to return to full fitness before defending ranking points from her strong 2025 campaign.

Swiatek's medical team has indicated that the shoulder issue should not require surgery and that a period of rest and targeted rehabilitation should resolve the problem. The three-time French Open champion is expected to provide an update on her condition and return timeline within the next week.

This marks the first time since 2023 that Swiatek has withdrawn from a tournament due to injury, highlighting the rarity of physical setbacks in her otherwise remarkably consistent career.