Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina withdraws from Qatar Open in Doha

• Rybakina pulls out of Qatar Open in Doha
• Rybakina cites scheduling issues
• Rybakina knocked out of Abu Dhabi Open 

Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the upcoming Qatar Open in Doha due to a busy schedule. The world number 10 recently lost the final of the Australian Open against Aryna Sabalenkova.

The 23-year-old has made a great start to 2023, reaching the final of the 2023 Australian Open before losing to Sabalenko in three sets. Speaking about the Qatar Open, Rybakina confirmed that she would not be going to Doha, citing scheduling issues. "Unfortunately, I’m not gonna go to Doha. I'm really looking forward to come back next year but this time I'm not going. Schedule-wise it's not easy to travel so much. I played really well in Melbourne so it's really better for me just to rest & prepare the next week,” said Rybakina.

Rybakina reached the quarter-finals of the Abu Dhabi Open but was defeated by Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-3, 3-6, 2-6. The Brazilian survived 19 aces from Rybaka's racket and never dropped serve in the second and third sets to secure an impressive victory. Haddad Maia praises Rybakina after her win, calling her one of the best players in the world and insisting she had a tough fight against the world No. 10. “Today was a very tough battle. Rybakina, she's a very good player, one of the best players in the world, so I knew I had to push myself every single game, especially on her serve. I was trying to find a way to return, to break her, to give myself one more chance, and I'm happy with my win," Haddad Maia said.

After withdrawing from the Qatar Open, Rybakina will look forward to the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai, for which she has already applied. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see who lines up in the Kazakh's absence to win the Qatar Open in Doha.