For The Second Straight Year Victoria Azarenka Withdraws From Dubai

Victoria Azarenka withdrew today from the lucrative Dubai Duty Free championships. The now-No. 2 cited a foot injury she sustained last week en route to her Doha title.

“It happened last week,” Azarenka said. “I have been obviously playing on it a lot, so going to a new tournament right is too much to handle right now. It keeps getting worse. It was an unfortunate decision that I had to make, and obviously I’m very disappointed with that.”

It’s the second straight year the Bela-russian has withdrawn from Dubai. Last year it was an ankle injury.

Showing no signs of injury, Azarenka just beat her rival Serena Williams in a three-set final Sunday in Doha. Azarenka is a perfect 13-0 this year with titles in Doha and at the Australian Open. She also reached the quarterfinals at Brisbane before withdrawing ahead of a quarterfinal with Serena because of an apparent toe injury.

She’ll be the top seed at the Indian Wells event in her next tournament.