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Former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber has withdrawn from Dubai. Kerber, 34, won't be making her ninth Dubai appearance this year. Kerber made her Dubai debut in 2011, when she was beaten in the first round. Kerber made back-to-back Dubai semifinals in 2017 and 2018.
Kerber suffered a first round loss in Dubai last year. Following the withdrawal of Kerber, a place in the Dubai main draw opened for Elise Mertens.
Dubai update
OUT: Kerber
IN: Mertens
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A rough start to the year for Kerber
Kerber was supposed to start her season in Sydney but a positive COVID-19 test derailed her plans.
"Today is the final day of my preseason before flying out to Melbourne tomorrow. I‘m disappointed to miss the WTA event in Sydney but after I tested positive for Covid-19 last month, l had to adapt my schedule because of the quarantine period.
I completed the medical check up and I‘m hopeful to be ready for the @australianopen. Thank you for your love & support," Kerber announced in an Instagram post in early January. Kerber's lone appearance in 2022 came at the Australian Open, where she was beaten in the first round.
Kerber had rough first six months of the 2021 season and recently she admitted she had doubts during that period. ‟As an athlete, one always somehow has doubts. It’s a part of things. But the trick is to draw positive energy and remotivate oneself to fulfil one’s goals," Kerber said.
Kerber played much better in the second part of the season as she won Bad Homburg and made the semifinals at Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Masters. ‟The key was definitely the return of the fans and the confidence I had in myself and my potential.
It was something I also never lost in the difficult times. Fighting back after being down is somehow a part of my career. I had lots of patience in myself and always believed I could succeed once again. Having the feeling of being able to beat top players and be in the mix for the major titles was extremely important for me."