Coco Gauff completely understands why Aryna Sabalenka feels unsure about ever playing at the Dubai Tennis Championships again after comments made by tournament director Salah Tahlak. The world No1 withdrew from February’s WTA 1000 event due to “not feeling 100 per cent”, and Tahlak responded by saying players who pull out should face harsher punishments than fines, such as points deductions.

Sabalenka has now hit back before the Miami Open, saying: “I don’t think he showed himself in the best way possible. For me, it’s actually so sad to see that the tournament directors and the tournaments are not protecting us as players. They just care about their sellings, about their tournament, and that’s it. His comment was ridiculous. I’m not sure if I ever want to go there after his comment. For me, it’s too much.”

Gauff has called Tahlak’s comments “unnecessary” and defended Sabalenka, as well as Iga Swiatek, who also withdrew, citing a change of schedule. Speaking in Miami, the American said: “I just feel Iga and Aryna have played that tournament so many times, and it wasn’t anything personal to it.

“It’s tough; we’re trying our best to play the calendar. I completely understand why she [Sabalenka] would feel like that [frustrated] ​because the comments were unnecessary.”

Gauff also disagreed with Tahlak at the time, saying while in Dubai: “Do I think players should be docked points? Not really. We already have the mandatory. We get zeros on our ranking for everything.

“For this point in the schedule, I think it’s hard to play all the tournaments now that they’re two weeks long. I think the asks of players are becoming more and more and more.

“I do understand the tournament side; they obviously want the players there. In the past, I think top players have always come to Doha and Dubai; this draw has historically been a tough draw. I understand it’s unfortunate this year.

“I don’t think it’s fair for players to get docked points. I think, if anything, we should have an optional 1000, like the men do with Monte-Carlo. Yeah, I think that’s a little bit harsh in my opinion.”

Gauff also spoke from her own experience. She said: “For me, I don’t think I’ve ever really pulled out of a 1000 that I can remember off the top of my head. I definitely don’t think players do it, like they just don’t want to play, I don’t think it’s that decision.

“You look at, like, burnout throughout the year. Although maybe it might not affect you now, it will affect you later. I feel like for me, this part of the season I have always struggled, I think just because of the transition and things like that.”