Overview
- Dubai Tennis Championships director Salah Tahlak publicly suggested harsher punishments, including docking ranking points, after Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka withdrew from the event earlier this season.
- Swiatek firmly dismissed the proposal at her Roland Garros press conference on Friday, calling it “a bit ridiculous” and saying players have a right to manage fitness and schedules.
- Sabalenka has also criticised Tahlak’s comments, saying organisers appeared more focused on ticket sales than protecting players and that the remarks were inappropriate.
- Players are taking coordinated action at the French Open with a timed 15-minute media protest and say they want constructive, formal talks with tournament organisers rather than punitive measures.
- Any rule to dock existing ranking points would require agreement from tennis governing bodies and the tour, and does not currently exist beyond the normal consequence of earning zero points for a missed event.