When will Aryna Sabalenka play her next tournament after Dubai Open 2026 withdrawal?
(Courtesy : @WTA/Twitter)
Sabalenka suffered her second straight Australian Open final defeat.
Aryna Sabalenka‘s 2026 season kicked off with sky-high expectations, but it quickly veered into familiar territory, an heart-wrenching defeat at her beloved Australian Open.
As the World No. 1 and 2-time champion from 2023 and 2024, the Belarusian powerhouse stormed through the draw in Melbourne, dropping no set en route to her fourth consecutive final Down Under.
Yet, in a nail-biting three-set thriller on Rod Laver Arena, fifth seed Elena Rybakina staged a comeback to claim the title, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Sabalenka’s thunderous serves and blistering groundstrokes weren’t enough to overcome Rybakina’s resilience, leaving the 27-year-old in tears once more.
“Today, I’m a loser, maybe tomorrow I’m a winner”, Sabalenka said post-match, echoing the raw emotion of her 2025 final loss to Madison Keys.
With the calendar flipping to February, fans braced for Sabalenka’s immediate return at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, the first WTA 1000 of the year, teeing off February 8-14 in Doha. As a perennial contender, her entry was a lock.
But the top seed pulled out from the event on Thursday, citing a “change of schedule” to prioritize extended rest after the Melbourne marathon. This could be due to mental recovery from the final defeat, compounded by the compressed offseason following the 2025 US Open.
Also Read: Australian Open 2026 payouts: How much Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka & others earn in prize money?
Since the Belarusian lost in the very first round she played in Doha last year, she will hardly drop any points despite her withdrawal.
When will Aryna Sabalenka be in action next after Australian Open 2026?
The World No. 1 was expected to be quickly back in action at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, a WTA 1000 hard-court spectacle running February 15-21 at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre.
However, Sabalenka pulled out from the competition, claiming that she did not feel prepared and fully fit for the Dubai Open.
“I’m really sorry I have to withdraw from Dubai. I have such a special connection with the tournament, the fans and the city. Unfortunately, I am not feeling 100 per cent. But I hope to be back next year and wish the tournament a great event”, stated the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Dubai has not been too kind to Aryna Sabalenka in this decade, having won only one match at the competition in her past two appearances. Last year, she exited in the second round, stunned by Denmark’s Clara Tauson in a 6-3, 6-2 upset after cruising past Veronika Kudermetova.
Eager for redemption, Sabalenka is now expected to end her 1-month long absence from the WTA tour at the 2026 Indian Wells. The Belarusian was a finalist at Indian Wells in 2025, losing to Mirra Andreeva in the finals in three sets.
Who defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the 2026 Australian Open final?
Fifth seed Elena Rybakina staged a comeback to beat Sabalenka in a three-set match on Rod Laver Arena.
Why did Aryna Sabalenka withdraw from the Qatar Open?
Sabalenka pulled out citing a “change of schedule” to prioritise rest and recovery after the Australian Open. The decision was reportedly influenced by physical and mental fatigue.
Why did Aryna Sabalenka withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships?
She withdrew from the Dubai Open as well, stating she was not feeling fully fit and prepared to compete.
When is Aryna Sabalenka expected to return to action?
Sabalenka is expected to make her comeback at the 2026 Indian Wells tournament, where she was runner-up in 2025.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.