Reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has decided to sit out the 2024 Qatar Open, scheduled to commence on Sunday, February 11 in Doha. This marks the second consecutive year that the Belarusian tennis star has opted out of the WTA 1000 tournament, which she clinched in 2020.
The 22nd edition of the women’s tennis tournament will take place on outdoor hard courts at the International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, featuring top players like defending champion Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Ons Jabeur.
Currently ranked No. 2 in the world, Sabalenka recently defended her Australian Open title in Melbourne, securing victory over Zheng Qinwen with a score of 6-3, 6-2 in the final last month.
Tennis journalist Jose Morgado confirmed Sabalenka’s withdrawal on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, February 2, stating, “Sabalenka won’t play Doha.”
The 25-year-old has participated in the Doha Open three times since 2020. She claimed the title in 2020 by defeating Petra Kvitova in the final in straight sets. However, in 2021, she suffered a second-round exit, losing to Garbine Muguruza in three sets.
In 2022, Aryna Sabalenka reached the quarterfinals of the competition, where she was defeated by World No. 1 and eventual champion, Swiatek, in straight sets.
