Li Na has had to withdraw from the Qatar Open while she continues to recover from an ankle injury.
The world number five sustained the injury in the final of the Australian Open last month, which she lost to Victoria Azarenka in three sets.
Hungarian teenager Timea Babos will take her place in the draw.
The 30-year-old is the second high-profile player to pull out of the tournament, with Venus Williams also missing out because of a back injury.
