This week’s WTA 500 in Abu Dhabi was meant to feature two top players from Spain’s women’s tennis team: Paula Badosa and Garbine Muguruza.

Both players were expected to make their debuts on Tuesday against Liudmila Samsonova and Karolina Pliskova. However, both declined to play. Badosa cited a virus as the cause, and Muguruza talked about private matters.

The Belgian Ysaline Bonaventure, who competes against Pliskova, and Claire Liu, who will take on Samsonova, will replace the Spanish players in the draw. Paula and Garbine continue to struggle at the start of 2023.

Badosa, who is currently ranked 21st, was willing to be back in competition following a tear of three and a half centimeters in her right thigh that prevented her from competing in the Australian Open and Adelaide semifinals. Badosa shared a picture of her being treated while she was lying on a stretcher on social media.

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Paula Badosa Gibert in 2023

Ranked world no.21, the Spaniard played her last match on the 12^th of January when she defeated world no.14 Beatriz Haddad Maia 7-6(5) 7-5 in the quarter in Adelaide (draw).

This season Paula has achieved a 4-0 match record. Paula Badosa Gibert’s most significant performance of the present season was getting to the semifinal in Adelaide.

She is also scheduled to play in Dubai (Dubai Duty Free Championships) after Doha. The main draw will start on the 13th of February.

Garbine Muguruza in 2023

Now ranked no.83, the Spaniard played her last match on the 30^th of January when she lost to world no.50 Linda Noskova 6-1 6-4 in the 1^st round in Lyon (draw).

During this season Muguruza has achieved a 0-4 win-loss record.

Paula Badosa Gibert and Garbine Muguruza clashed against each other only 1 time. Their current head to head is 1-0 for Muguruza. When they played, Garbine Muguruza won 6-3 6-3 in the semifinal in Guadalajara (WTA Finals) in November 2021.

In the video below you can watch the highlights.