Olympic champion Belinda Bencic to face US Open winner Emma Raducanu at Mubadala World Tennis Championship

The 13th Mubadala World Tennis Championship will host its most intriguing female match-up ever on day one of its return this December, after the Championship organisers Flash Entertainment announced Olympic champion Belinda Bencic as the opponent for the US Open winner Emma Raducanu in the women’s match.

After securing Raducanu, the hottest name in tennis right now, for her Championship debut, organisers have pulled out all the stops to guarantee a gripping final match for the first day of the Arabian Gulf’s leading tennis experience on Thursday, December 16, by securing Bencic.

Former world No. 4 Bencic produced some stunning tennis to win gold in the singles and silver in the doubles at the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Her match against Raducanu on centre court at the International Tennis Centre, at Zayed Sports City, in Abu Dhabi, will also be a rematch of their US Open quarter-final at Flushing Meadows, which Raducanu won before going on to win the first major of her career.

“Since we introduced the women’s match in 2017, we have welcomed some of the biggest names in the game to compete in Abu Dhabi. With that legacy in place, the goal for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship is to keep evolving to ensure we bring our knowledgeable fans the best, unrivalled experiences. With Emma and Belinda confirmed, this year’s match is set to be the most intriguing women’s match in the Championship’s history. This is not one to miss,” said John Lickrish, CEO, Flash Entertainment.

Bencic, 24, is looking forward to continuing her tennis journey, experiencing the game in a new country, and is eager to show her defeat against Raducanu at the US Open was a one-off.

“When I was offered the opportunity to come and explore Abu Dhabi and all the Championship has to offer, I was very excited and happy to do it. It’s great to travel to new places. I’m looking forward to coming, to immerse myself in the many cultures there and interact with all the fans. Emma and I played a great match in New York and I am looking forward to another great battle, this time in Abu Dhabi,” said the Swiss star.

Tickets, starting from Dh100 for adults and Dh50 for children, are available online from Ticketmaster and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. In line with current health and safety protocols, social distancing measures will be in place within the stadium and throughout the Tennis Village.