Kvitova misses Dubai

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has pulled out of this week's Dubai Duty Free Championships.

Wimbledon champion laid low by virus

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has pulled out of this week's Dubai Duty Free Championships. The 21-year-old, who also missed last week's Qatar Open, has a virus. "I am really sorry to have gotten sick prior to the start of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships," said Kvitova, the current world number three. "I love playing in Dubai and am so disappointed to not be able to get on the plane and go and play for the fans and those amazing crowds." Kvitova had been seeded second for the event in the United Arab Emirates. Her place at the bottom of the draw will be filled by Sabine Lisicki, who is promoted to ninth seed. French Open champion Li Na and Russian Vera Zvonareva have also pulled out of the event because of injuries. However, world number one Victoria Azarenka, still unbeaten in 2012, and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki do play.