Dubai: Former world number one Victoria Azarenka has pulled out of the Dubai Duty Free Women’s Open, citing an old foot injury.
“I would have loved to play here in Dubai, but I must listen to my body. I think this injury is too much to handle and it is getting worse,” the Belarussian told media here on Tuesday.
“There’s been a lot of tennis in the past few weeks and now it is time to listen to my body and take the rest I need,” she added.
Azarenka has been on a red-hot winning streak after beating world number one, the American Serena Williams, in three sets to claim last Sunday’s Qatar Open title. Last month Azarenka, who was replaced as world number one by Williams on Monday, won the season-opening Australian Open after beating China’s Li Na in three sets.
She was due to play the winner of the match between Dominika Cibulkova and Nadia Petrova, which was being played on Tuesday afternoon.
