Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open 2026: Stars to Watch, Entry List & Wildcards
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is officially returning to the UAE capital for its fourth edition from January 31 to February 7, 2026. Held at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City, this WTA 500 tournament has solidified its place as a premier stop on the women’s tour, promising eight days of elite competition and family-friendly entertainment.
Stars to Watch
The 2026 field features a blend of established champions and rising next-generation talents.
- Elena Rybakina (World No. 5): The 2022 Wimbledon champion headlines the draw. After reaching the semifinals in Abu Dhabi in 2025 and finishing the previous year strong with a victory at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Rybakina enters 2026 as a major title contender.
- Belinda Bencic: The defending champion and Olympic gold medalist is in pursuit of her third title in Abu Dhabi, having won in both 2023 and 2025. Bencic remains unbeaten at this venue and is known for her tactical precision on these outdoor hard courts.
- Zheng Qinwen: The Chinese star is scheduled to make her 2026 season debut in Abu Dhabi. After recovering from right-elbow surgery that forced her to withdraw from the Australian Open, all eyes will be on her form as she returns to high-level competition.
- Alexandra Eala: A rising star from the Philippines, the 20-year-old Eala has become a local favorite in Abu Dhabi. After breaking into the Top 50 in 2025, she returns to the UAE capital looking to build on her breakthrough season.
- Victoria Mboko: The WTA’s 2025 Newcomer of the Year is another young talent expected to make waves in the 28-player singles draw.
Other notable names confirmed for the event include former World No. 2 Paula Badosa, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Entry List and Seeds
The singles main draw features 28 players, with the following top seeds based on rankings as of January 19, 2026:
| Seed | Player | Rank |
| 1 | Elena Rybakina (KAZ) | 5 |
| 2 | Belinda Bencic (SUI) | 10 |
| 3 | Ekaterina Alexandrova | 11 |
| 4 | Clara Tauson (DEN) | 14 |
| 5 | Emma Navarro (USA) | 15 |
| 6 | Victoria Mboko (CAN) | 16 |
| 7 | Liudmila Samsonova | 18 |
| 8 | Elise Mertens (BEL) | 21 |
Wildcards and Special Entries:
- Wildcards: Alexandra Eala, Zeynep Sönmez, and Janice Tjen have received entry into the singles main draw.
- Protected Rankings: Beatriz Haddad Maia and Barbora Krejčiková used protected rankings to enter the field.
- Notable Withdrawal: Markéta Vondroušová has withdrawn and was replaced by Anna Kalinskaya.
In the doubles category, Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani lead the 16-team field as the top seeds.
Tournament Experience
Beyond the world-class tennis, the tournament offers a festival-like atmosphere in the Mubadala Tennis Village. Fans can enjoy interactive games like Giant Jenga and Plinko, attend player Q&A sessions, and participate in tennis-themed workshops.
A significant addition to the 2026 edition is the debut of the Wheelchair Tennis Invitational, running from February 5 to 7. This initiative includes professional competition alongside inclusive clinics for people of determination.
The event kicks off with a Free Opening Day on Saturday, January 31, which also serves as Family Day. Tickets for the remainder of the week start from AED 25, with a “Kids Go Free” promotion running from February 2 to 4.