Three top players, Petra Kvitova, Li Na, and Vera Zvonareva, have announced withdrawals for the $2,000,000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, while Serena Williams will skip the Whirlpool Monterrey Open.
World No.3 Kvitova announced on her Facebook page that she had pulled out of Dubai due to illness. The reason for Li‘s withdrawal is a low back injury, while Zvonareva continues to suffer from her left hip injury which caused her retirements at Pattaya and Doha.
Kaia Kanepi will also not play Dubai, due to a right shoulder injury, and Andrea Petkovic is staying away from the tennis courts because of a low back stress fracture.
You know that world No.1 Victoria Azarenka sustained an ankle injury in her Doha semifinal, and even though the ill effects were not noticeable en route to her title win, we’ll see how her leg will react in Dubai.
As for the Monterrey Open, Serena Williams has pulled out due to the ankle she hurt during a recent practice. Nevertheless, Serena was capable of entertaining the Monterrey crowd with an on-water exhibition hitting with Gisela Dulko. (photo © Neal Trousdale)
Here comes the injury factor. It is the big unknown when picking how players will be ranked at year end.
Of course we all know that Serena isn’t really hurt. She loves picking up those appearance fees, but she just hates tennis.
Hates tennis, but loves winning – and, also, has to take care of cycling up and down between them Slam tournaments and a silent ban or two in between. No easy task for anyone, poor darling.
She withdrew from Monterrey recently just a few days before the event started. Not surprising,is it?
I love u serena get well and comeback soon:) great champion:) one note: if serena was capable to play she will do it, i think that she can play but withdraw to protect her ankle because it can turn down any time… it is smart action from serena…