Sharapova and Serena pull out

Dubai: Dubai Duty Free, the tournament organisers of the Dubai Tennis Championships, have confirmed the withdrawal of Australian Open winner Serena Williams and finalist Maria Sharapova from this year's edition of the tournament.

Sharapova, who was a finalist in Dubai last year, has withdrawn due to a hamstring injury, which she suffered during the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

Sharapova said: "I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championships because the hamstring that I injured in Tokyo is not yet healed.

"I tried to do everything possible to be in condition to play in Dubai, as it is one of my favourite tournaments, but unfortunately I'm not ready. I'm looking forward to continuing to recover as quickly as possible so that I can get back on the court competing."

Serena Williams, who had been offered a Wild Card entry into the main draw, is unable to play due to an ongoing bout of flu that saw her withdraw from this week's Bangalore Open.

"I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championships, which I was really excited to play," Williams said.

Tennis fans will, however, see some of the world's leading players when play gets under way at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on Monday.

Headlining the Women's Open will be world No 2 Justine Henin, a three-time winner of the Dubai event and defending champion.

Recent Tokyo winner and 2001 Dubai title-holder Martina Hingis will also be among the frontrunners as will Russian powerhouse and world No 5 Svetlena Kuznetsova.

The showpiece Dubai Duty Free Men's Open will begin on February 26, when Spain's Rafael Nadal begins his title defence alongside three-time former champion and world No 1 Roger Federer.

Also confirmed for the men's event is world No 3 Nikolay Davydenko, Spain's Tommy Robredo, and German Tommy Haas. In total, there will be five of the world's top 10 players competing in Dubai.

"We have a wonderful line-up of the world's best players competing in both the men's and women's events," said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament organisers Dubai Duty Free.

"Despite some of the players withdrawing due to injury and illness we are still very confident of a memorable tournament ahead and guarantee spectators will enjoy every moment of what will be a spectacular two weeks of tennis."

"We would like to wish both Maria and Serena a speedy recovery and we look forward to welcoming them back to Dubai next year."

Grandstand tickets for the first three days of the Dubai Duty Free Men's and Women's Opens are still available at the Dubai Tennis Stadium Box Office.

Online tickets (subject to availability) are available on www.timeouttickets.com. For further information contact the Tournament hotline, which offers a 24 hour information service, on 04 - 3020444.