Elena Rybakina, reigning champion, is set to defend her title in the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open which will take place from February 1st to February 8th at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City. She is now fit to play after battling injuries in the previous season.
Belinda Bencic, Daria Kasatkina, and Elena Rybakina look to be rivaling for the title this season. Rybakina, who is a 25 year old Kazakh strong player, is going up against fierce competition including Bencic, who gave birth last year to a child but is now making a strong comeback.
Rybakina is currently standing at 6th place and has also won three WTA Tour titles. She in total has five titles under her name including the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open. However, during the last half of 2024 medical issues such as bronchitis affected her performance drastically as she faced back problems.
Rybakina has claimed her first Abu Dhabi title after defeating Kasatkina, it was held on the 6th of February in the year 2022. Rybakina has done exceptionally well this season, racking up titles after titles. She has won the AsB Classic, the AusOpen against Jelena Ostapenko, and the Qatar TotalEnergies Open against A Daria Kasatkina.
Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Open 2025 has witnessed the inclusion of world No. 9 Daria Kasatkina, who is determined to clinch first after losing in last year’s finals. Topping the lineup is 2023 tournament winner, Bencic, who marked her return back to the court after giving birth a year ago.
Bencic’s strength and fighting spirit are additional factors that are bound to make the competition even more intense, which is just a few weeks away.
Being a tournament director, Nigel Gupta said, “We are glad to welcome back all these women, including, but not limited to, Rybakina and Bencic at the Abu Dhabi Open” or among great players.
“There’s never a dull moment and several more entertaining matches yet to be played as we approach 2025, and as the competition gathers momentum the buildup ’Elena last year put up an impressive show and new standards were set, and looking forward to stun in Ab Dhabi for the second time.”
This year’s Abu Dhabi Open features some of the elite female players, showing off their great skills and providing great content for the audience, establishing the event as one of the leading ones in women’s tennis.
Rybakina and Kasatkina will be participating in a field that includes 28 of the finest touring professionals, which now includes the three time grand slam finalist Ons Jabeur from Tunisia who recently recovered from a lengthy shoulder injury. She will probably enjoy the adoration of the local crowd as she is the most loved in the Arab world.
Former World number 2, Paula Badosa of Spain, is also in the field. Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia who is a semi finalist in the last two editions of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is back once again for a title shot.