Defending champ Rybakina back to take on world-class field in Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

Abu Dhabi: Reigning champion Elena Rybakina will defend her title at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, taking place from February 1-8 at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, and is back fully fit after missing much of the end of last season through illness and injury.

The powerful Kazakh, 25, faces tough competition from a stellar line-up of players, including last year’s finalist, Daria Kasatkina, and 2023 champion, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, who is back playing strongly after giving birth last year.

Impressive record

Rybakina, currently ranked sixth in the world, continued her impressive record on the WTA Tour in 2024, claiming three WTA Tour titles last year, including Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, the Brisbane International, and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.

However, in the latter half of the year a combination of illness (bronchitis) and a back injury scuppered her hopes of finishing 2024 on the same high as she started it.

The 2024 edition of Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open saw Rybakina deliver a masterclass in power and precision, as she swept aside Kasatkina 6-1 6-4 to claim her maiden Abu Dhabi title.

Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has quickly established itself as a premier event on the women’s tour, attracting the biggest names in tennis and delivering electrifying action for fans.

Rybakina and Kasatkina will be joining a star-studded line-up of 28 leading Tour players, which was bolstered by the confirmation that three-time Grand Slam finalist, Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, will also be in the field following a lengthy layoff through a shoulder injury. She is likely to win the support of local fans as the Arab world’s firm favourite.

Former world No 2, Paula Badosa of Spain, is also in the field. Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, a semi-finalist in the last two editions of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, returns too for another pitch at the prestigious title.