The 2025 season just turned up the heat, and the competition is about to get fierce! After an exhilarating Australian Open, the WTA tour is diving into its next set of hard-court challenges, and all eyes are on the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open. This tournament is kicking off the Middle East swing, and with reigning champion Elena Rybakina back in action, the excitement is through the roof! She’s not just defending her title; she’s also gunning for a bigger slice of that boosted prize money.

Kicking off on February 3 at the stunning Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre, as a WTA 500 event, this tournament promises thrilling matches on outdoor hard courts and an exciting atmosphere as players vie for a share of the impressive $1,064,510 prize pool—an increase of 15.38% from last year!

The stakes are high this year, with the winner set to pocket $164,000, which is 15.5% more than what Elena Rybakina took home in 2024. The runner-up will also enjoy a nice boost, receiving $101,000, up 15.2% from last year. Semifinalists will earn $59,000, while quarterfinalists will take home $28,695, both reflecting a consistent 15.2% increase. With such enticing rewards on the line, players are sure to bring their A-game!

As qualifiers wrap up today, fans are already buzzing with excitement—especially with 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin making her mark in the first round. The singles final begins on February 8 at 5:00 p.m., and the doubles final earlier that day at 2:30 p.m.

Defending champion Elena Rybakina is on a mission for redemption after a rocky 2024 season filled with early exits, injuries, and coaching drama. Not just that, but with top players like Paula Badosa, Emma Raducanu, and more bringing their fierce determination, this tournament is shaping up to be a thrilling showdown!

Here’s what to expect from the WTA players in Abu Dhabi

Following thrilling competitions in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Linz, fans are in for a real treat with a lineup packed with talent. Get ready to see Grand Slam champions strut their stuff on the court! We’ve got Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champ, alongside Jelena Ostapenko, who took home the title at Roland Garros in 2017. And let’s not forget Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open winner, and Marketa Vondrousova coming back with her 2023 Wimbledon victory.

Defending champion Rybakina is ready to make waves at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open! After a tough fourth-round exit at the Australian Open against Madison Keys, where she fought hard but ultimately came up short, Rybakina is eager to bounce back. Ranked as the world No. 5, she’s not just looking to defend her title; she’s also aiming to replicate last year’s impressive run, which included two titles and a stellar 11-2 record by the end of Abu Dhabi.

Last year’s runner-up, Daria Kasatkina, is also back, having had a spectacular year with two WTA 500 titles under her belt. Meanwhile, Paula Badosa is making waves again after returning to the Top 10 following a strong performance at the Australian Open SFs. The excitement doesn’t stop there—former World No. 4 Caroline Garcia and Olympic champion Belinda Bencic are also in the mix, both looking to make their mark!

As tournament director Nigel Gupta noted, “The opening day of this year’s tournament has been a huge success, with some wonderful matches and fantastic off-court entertainment. Attendance figures have been great, and it was brilliant to see so many fans of all ages coming through the gates and enjoying the Mubadala Tennis Village.” With such a thrilling lineup and buzz in the air, who are you cheering for? Let us know in the comments.