{"id":1832487,"date":"2026-03-18T11:48:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T08:48:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1832487"},"modified":"2026-03-18T11:48:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T08:48:59","slug":"sabalenkas-ridiculous-message-20-players-withdraw-djokovic-warned-alcaraz-to-skip-events-miami-open-roundup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1832487","title":{"rendered":"Sabalenka&#8217;s &#8216;ridiculous&#8217; message, 20 players withdraw, Djokovic warned, Alcaraz to skip events? Miami Open roundup"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">Sabalenka\u2019s \u2018ridiculous\u2019 message, 20 players withdraw, Djokovic warned, Alcaraz to skip events? Miami Open roundup<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/ewan-west\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Ewan West                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"18 Mar 2026 11:48 AM\" data-ps-date=\"18 Mar 2026 11:48 AM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1773834539\"><br \/>\n                            18 Mar 2026 11:48 AM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/aryna-sabalenka-ridiculous-message-novak-djokovic-20-players-withdraw-miami-open-roundup\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to facebook\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Faryna-sabalenka-ridiculous-message-novak-djokovic-20-players-withdraw-miami-open-roundup\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to twitter\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Faryna-sabalenka-ridiculous-message-novak-djokovic-20-players-withdraw-miami-open-roundup\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to linkedin\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/\/send\/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Faryna-sabalenka-ridiculous-message-novak-djokovic-20-players-withdraw-miami-open-roundup\" aria-label=\"Share to whatsapp\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Faryna-sabalenka-ridiculous-message-novak-djokovic-20-players-withdraw-miami-open-roundup\" aria-label=\"Share to flipboard\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"Sabalenka\u2019s \u2018ridiculous\u2019 message, 20 players withdraw, Djokovic warned, Alcaraz to skip events? Miami Open roundup\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Novak-Djokovic-Aryna-Sabalenka-Carlos-Alcaraz-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Tennis stars Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\">\n<p>Wednesday\u2019s headlines from the 2026 Miami Open include Martina Navratilova\u2019s reaction to Novak Djokovic\u2019s withdrawal and Aryna Sabalenka suggesting she will boycott a big tournament in the future.<\/p>\n<p>We also have news of Toni Nadal assessing that Carlos Alcaraz looks \u201ctired\u201d, while Emma Raducanu and Alex Eala\u2019s first tournament of the clay season has been revealed.<\/p>\n<p>Here is out latest roundup of the biggest headlines from the Miami Open and elsewhere in the tennis world.<\/p>\n<h2>Sabalenka hits out at Dubai tournament director<\/h2>\n<p>After Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek withdrew from the Dubai Championships last month, tournament director Salah Tahlak controversially claimed players should be \u201cdocked ranking points\u201d for skipping events.<\/p>\n<p>In her Miami Open pre-tournament press conference, world No 1 Sabalenka described Tahlak\u2019s comments as \u201cridiculous\u201d and suggested she may never play the WTA 1000 event in the United Arab Emirates again.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/aryna-sabalenka-sends-dubai-boycott-warning-ridiculous-comment-tournament-chief\">Aryna Sabalenka sends Dubai boycott warning \u2013 \u2018I\u2019m not sure if I ever want to go there\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>20 players withdraw from Miami Open<\/h2>\n<p>A total of 20 players on the original Miami Open entry lists have pulled out across both singles events: 13 women and seven men.<\/p>\n<p>Djokovic and Raducanu are the highest-ranked players to withdraw from each draw, and they are among four Grand Slam champions to pull out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/miami-open-2026-withdrawal-list-novak-djokovic-emma-raducanu\">Miami Open withdrawal list: 20 players out as Djokovic &amp; Raducanu among 4 Grand Slam winners<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Navratilova on Djokovic\u2019s Miami withdrawal<\/h2>\n<p>Djokovic pulled out of the Miami Open citing a shoulder injury after his gruelling fourth round loss to Jack Draper in Indian Wells.<\/p>\n<p>The world No 3 has played only two tournaments in 2026, and tennis legend Martina Navratilova has argued that the 38-year-old Serb needs to play more matches outside of the Grand Slams.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/novak-djokovic-miami-open-2026-withdrawal-martina-navratilova\">Novak Djokovic\u2019s Miami Open withdrawal leaves Martina Navratilova concerned for one reason<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Toni Nadal says \u201ctired\u201d Alcaraz could skip tournaments<\/h2>\n<p>World No 1 Alcaraz\u2019s unbeaten start to 2026 ended with a straight-set loss to Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals in Indian Wells.<\/p>\n<p>Toni Nadal, the uncle and former coach of legendary Spaniard Rafael Nadal, thinks a \u201ctired\u201d Alcaraz may \u201cstop playing in some tournaments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/carlos-alcaraz-looking-tired-consider-skipping-tournaments-says-toni-nadal\">Carlos Alcaraz \u2018looking a bit tired\u2019 and should consider skipping some tournaments, says Toni Nadal<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Darren Cahill on Sinner and Alcaraz\u2019s rivalry<\/h2>\n<p>Jannik Sinner\u2019s renowned coach Darren Cahill has discussed the Italian star\u2019s rivalry with Alcaraz.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe interest is there, the rivalry is great. Carlos being number one and Jannik number two at the minute gives Jannik something to chase, and so far he is doing a good job. I think the rivalry is something tennis needs,\u201d said the Australian.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/jannik-sinner-coach-delivers-verdict-on-great-carlos-alcaraz-rivalry\">Jannik Sinner\u2019s coach delivers verdict on Italian\u2019s \u2018great\u2019 Carlos Alcaraz rivalry<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Raducanu and Eala sign up for new clay tournament<\/h2>\n<p>Raducanu and Eala have signed up for the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, which has switched from indoor hard-court to indoor clay for this year\u2019s edition.<\/p>\n<p>The WTA 500, which will begin on 6 April, is set to be Raducanu\u2019s next tournament after her withdrawal from Miami, while it will be Eala\u2019s first event of the clay-court season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/emma-raducanu-next-tournament-after-miami-open-withdrawal-alex-eala-set-to-star\">Emma Raducanu\u2019s next tournament revealed after Miami Open withdrawal as Alex Eala also set to star<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as <a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sabalenka\u2019s \u2018ridiculous\u2019 message, 20 players withdraw, Djokovic warned, Alcaraz to skip events? Miami Open roundup Ewan West 18 Mar 2026 11:48 AM Tennis stars Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz Wednesday\u2019s headlines from the 2026 Miami Open include Martina Navratilova\u2019s reaction to Novak Djokovic\u2019s withdrawal and Aryna Sabalenka suggesting she will boycott a big [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-1832487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1832487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1832487"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1832487\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1832487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1832487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1832487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}