Aryna Sabalenka threatens to boycott Dubai tournament forever after tournament's director's 'ridiculous' criticism

Aryna Sabalenka has warned that she may never return to the Dubai Tennis Championships due to the tournament director's public criticism about her withdrawal.

The top two women's players, Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, were called out for their late withdrawals from the event last month by tournament director Salah Tahlak, who claimed their reasons for missing the mandatory event - one of 21 tournaments the top eight players in the world are required to play each year - were "a bit strange".

Sabalenka had cited her own physical health for her late exit while Swiatek put down a "change of schedule". Tahlak was not impressed by either response.

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Tahlak insisted in an interview with Middle East publication The National that players who pull out of mandatory tournaments should be stripped of ranking points or receive further punishment.

He then went as far as revealing that he questioned the tournament doctor about the severity of Sabalenka's injury and Swiatek's choice.

"(The doctor) he said it's a minor injury, not one that would force (Sabalenka) to withdraw," he recalled.

"And for Iga, I asked, 'Isn't this a strange decision?'

"It was an unfortunate surprise to get news of the withdrawal of Aryna and Iga."

The two top ranked women were not alone in withdrawing from the tournament, with Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys also pulling out of the draw.

Jessica Pegula won the 1000 ranking points that were up for grabs at the Dubai tournament, with only grand slams and the WTA Finals awarding more points.

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Coco Gauff defended her rivals and admitted that she did not agree with Tahlak's proposed punishment for those who withdraw from tournaments.

Sabalenka simply declared his comments were "ridiculous".

"I don't think he showed himself in the best way possible," she said during a pre-tournament press conference at the Miami Open.

"For me it's actually so sad to see that the tournament directors are not protecting us as a player. They just are about their (sales), their tournament and that is it.

"I'm not sure if I ever want to go there after his comment. For me it's too much."

Sabalenka did not compete in any tournament in February and returned to action last week at Indian Wells, where she claimed the title over Elena Rybakina.

She said prior to the Miami Open that she had decided with her team "to prioritise my health" and make sure they have "little gaps in the schedule" to aid her recovery.

"We have these little gaps in the schedule where I can just reset, recharge, work and be better prepared for bigger tournaments," the four-time grand slam champion added.

"I feel like scheduling is going crazy and I feel like that's why you see so many players injured, always taped and not delivering the best quality matches because it's almost impossible."

Sabalenka will begin her campaign at the Miami Open on Friday, March 20 (AEDT).