A bigger and better fan experience awaits spectators at the Mubadala Tennis Village
Tennis fans are in for a treat as a litany of stars have been added to the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open tournament which kicks off this weekend at the International Tennis Centre.
All players will be hoping to make a positive impact on proceedings throughout next week as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships also take place in the next month.
Caroline Garcia, Marketa Vondrousova, Ashlyn Krueger and Wakana Sonobe have been added to a star-studded line up for this year’s Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, scheduled to take place from 1-8 February.
Excitement continues to build ahead of the third edition of the all-female WTA 500 event, and what was already a strong field has been bolstered by the addition of four more talented players, with Garcia, Vondrousova and Krueger awarded wildcards for the main draw, while Sonobe earns a wildcard for the qualifiers.
French star Garcia, 31, has won 11 WTA Tour singles titles and is a two-time major champion in doubles after winning the French Open in 2016 and 2022, alongside compatriot Kristina Mladenovic.
Czech Vondrousova, 25, secured her first Grand Slam in 2023 when she defeated Ons Jabeur in the Wimbledon final, making history by becoming the first unseeded female to claim the title.
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American rising star Krueger, 20, has made significant strides in her career in the last 12 months. In 2024, she achieved her first main-draw victory in a WTA 1000 event, ironically defeating Garcia at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Aged just 17, Japan’s Wakana Sonobe is one of tennis’s brightest prospects and showcased her unquestionable talent by winning the girls’ singles title at the Australian Open on Saturday.
This year’s edition of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is set to be the most competitive yet, featuring many of the world’s best female players. Elena Rybakina will defend her title, while Bencic plays in Abu Dhabi for the first time since winning the inaugural event in 2023.
The field also includes Kasatkina, Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, Spain’s Paula Badosa, and Tunisia’s Jabeur, who is expected to receive strong support from local fans.
For the fans
Beyond world-class tennis, the event promises an enhanced spectator experience with the largest-ever Mubadala Tennis Village, spanning 15,000 sqm. Attendees can look forward to family-friendly activities, live entertainment, diverse food offerings, and interactive sports-themed activations.
Nigel Gupta, Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Tournament Director, said: “We are thrilled to announce four more top players for this year’s tournament. Both Caroline and Marketa boast a proven pedigree at the highest level, while Ashlyn and Wakana arrive as two of the sport’s rising stars.
“They join a brilliant line-up of talent and, with less than one week to go until the start of the event, we are set for the most exciting Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open to date.”
AED 25. 1-8 February, International Tennis Centre. For further information, visit mubadalaabudhabiopen.com
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