Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

World women's tennis number two Dinara Safina has pulled out of next week's Dubai tennis championships because of continuing problems with a back injury.

The Russian has been bothered by the injury since last season and hasn't played since retiring injured during her fourth-round match against compatriot Maria Kirilenko at the Australian Open last month.

The 23-year-old said she was hoping to come back at the million Indian Wells tournament in the United States, starting on March 10th.