Belinda Bencic and Paula Badosa are the latest players confirmed to compete in the 2025 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, the third edition of the WTA-500 event set to take place from February 1 to 8 at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City.
Swiss star Belinda Bencic, 27, was the inaugural champion of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open in 2023, where she defeated Liudmila Samsonova to claim the title. However, she was unable to defend her crown earlier this year due to her pregnancy.
The former world No. 4 is an eight-time WTA singles champion and also secured Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021, defeating the Czech Republic’s Markéta Vondroušová in a three-set final.
Bencic delivered a sensational comeback in the 2023 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, overcoming a one-set deficit and saving three match points against Samsonova.
Bencic expressed her excitement about returning to the UAE: “I’m very excited to return to the UAE and compete at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open once again. Winning this tournament in 2023 was an unforgettable moment in my career, and I’m looking forward to coming back as a new mom and experiencing the incredible atmosphere.”
She added, “It’s been a special journey coming back to the tour after giving birth, and I can’t wait to be back on court at a place that holds such special memories.”
Joining Bencic in the competition is Paula Badosa, a Spanish player based in Dubai who is currently ranked 12th. Badosa captured her fourth WTA Tour title at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in August, where she entered as a wildcard and defeated Marie Bouzkova in the final.
The 27-year-old Badosa will make her debut at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open after missing the previous two tournaments due to illness and injury.
Badosa shared her enthusiasm: “I’m thrilled to compete at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open. It’s a tournament I’ve wanted to play since it began in 2023, but unfortunately, injuries forced me to withdraw. Nevertheless, I’m determined to make the most of this opportunity in 2025.”
She added, “Abu Dhabi is an incredible city with amazing fans, and the tournament always attracts a strong field. I feel good about my form right now and can’t wait to showcase what I’m capable of in February.”
Bencic and Badosa will join a lineup of 28 top-tier players, including Tunisian Ons Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist who returns after a long shoulder injury, and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, a semifinalist in the past two editions of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.
