ABU DHABI, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Organizers of Dubai Tennis Championships confirmed on Thursday the withdrawal of two leading players Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams for health reasons, the tournament's official website reported.

    Sharapova, world number one and Dubai Women's Open 2006 runner-up, has withdrawn from the tournament because of a hamstring injury that she suffered during the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, the report said.

    "I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championships because the hamstring that I injured in Tokyo is not yet healed. I tried to do everything possible to be in condition to play in Dubai as it is one of my favorite tournaments, but unfortunately I'm not ready. I'm looking forward to continuing to recover as quickly as possible so that I can get back on the court competing," Sharapova was quoted as saying.

    Serena Williams, who beat Sharapova in the Australian Open final to win her eighth Grand Slam title, is unable to play due to an ongoing bout of flu that saw her withdraw from this week's Bangalore Open.

    "I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championships, which I was really excited to play," Williams said.

    Dubai Tennis Championships 2007 will be held from February 19 to March 3.

    The 3 million U.S. dollars Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organized by Dubai Duty Free and comprises a WTA Tier ll tournament played back-to-back with an ATP World Series Gold tournament.

    In 2006, the event attracted some of the world's leading players, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin-Hardenne.