'Abu Dhabi's support for tennis is amazing,' says Kazakh powerhouse and World No 5 Elena Rybakina
- Last updated: January 12, 2026 | 13:22 ..
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has unveiled one of the strongest player fields in its history, with 2022 Wimbledon champion and World No. 5 Elena Rybakina headlining an elite line-up featuring Grand Slam winners, Olympic medallists and the sport’s most exciting rising stars when the WTA 500 tournament returns to the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, from 31 January to 7 February 2026.
The Kazakh powerhouse, who won the tournament in 2024, has established herself as one of the game’s elite competitors since her historic triumph at the All England Club, reaching the 2023 Australian Open final and securing multiple WTA 500 and 1000 titles, including the 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh, where she brushed aside World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
"I really enjoyed my time in Abu Dhabi last year,” said Rybakina, who was defeated in the semi-finals by Bencic. “The city's support for tennis is amazing, and reaching the semi-finals was a solid way to begin 2025. This year, I'm coming back with the goal of going all the way again. The competition will be fierce, but that's what makes it exciting."
Rybakina will be joined by Belinda Bencic, who returns to defend her unbeaten record at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.
The Swiss Olympic gold medallist has lifted the trophy in both 2023 and 2025 and remains the only player never to have lost a match at the tournament.
Spanish favourite Paula Badosa adds further depth to the elite contingent. A former World No. 2 and Indian Wells champion, Badosa brings explosive power and fierce competitiveness to a field that promises compelling match-ups throughout the week.
The tournament’s commitment to showcasing the next generation is underlined by the confirmation of two of 2025’s most compelling breakthrough stars. Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko, who rocketed from outside the world’s top 300 at the start of 2025 to inside the top 20 following titles in Montreal and Hong Kong, continues her remarkable rise on the WTA Tour.
Joining Mboko is Filipina star Alexandra Eala, who returns to Abu Dhabi following her 2024 debut. The 20-year-old former US Open girls’ champion has continued her steady climb through the rankings and remains a national icon as the highest-ranked Filipino player in tour history.
Czech duo Barbora Krejcikova, a multiple Grand Slam champion in both singles and doubles, and Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, bring proven major pedigree. American rising star Emma Navarro, Denmark’s Clara Tauson, and Canada’s Leylah Fernandez – the 2023 French Open finalist – add further depth to an already formidable draw.
The field also features former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, who captured the 2025 doubles title in Abu Dhabi alongside Ellen Perez, and will be eager to add singles success to her tournament resume.
Chinese star Qinwen Zheng, Ukrainian talent Dayana Yastremska, and 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin round out a top-20 contingent that promises world-class tennis from the opening qualifiers through to the championship weekend.
Further elite talent includes Ekaterina Alexandrova and Liudmila Samsonova, Belgium's Elise Mertens, Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia, American McCartney Kessler, and Australian Maya Joint, ensuring competitive depth across the entire draw.
Nigel Gupta, Tournament Director at MARI, said: “The 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open field represents everything this tournament has become – a compelling blend of Grand Slam champions, Olympic medallists and the sport’s most exciting emerging talent. Elena Rybakina’s arrival as our top seed adds tremendous star power, while Belinda’s pursuit of a third title and the inclusion of breakthrough stars like Victoria Mboko and Alexandra Eala demonstrate our commitment to showcasing both today’s champions and tomorrow’s legends. This is shaping up to be our strongest edition yet.”
Organised by MARI in partnership with Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has quickly established itself as one of the WTA Tour’s most compelling early-season events, combining world-class tennis with a strong focus on youth, community engagement and fan experience.
Further player announcements for the 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open will be revealed in the new year.
Tickets are available now at Platinumlist.