WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 2025 MUBADALA ABU DHABI OPEN
Third edition of WTA 500 event started today in the capital
Elite-level playing field includes Elena Rybakina, Ons Jabeur, Emma Raducanu, Caroline Garcia, Daria Kasatkina and many more
Entry across the opening weekend if free for all
The third instalment of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is here, as the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City hosts what is rapidly becoming one of the UAE’s most popular sporting spectacles.
Running from February 1-8, the WTA 500 event welcomes some of the world’s best female tennis players, while off-court, spectators attending can enjoy a new-look Mubadala Tennis Village, double the size of previous years, featuring activations, F&B and live music performances throughout the tournament.
Here, we take a look at why the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is the must-attend event of 2025.
RYBAKINA, JABEUR, RADUCANU AND MORE
An elite-level playing field ensures spectators attending are guaranteed to see some high quality tennis over the course of the event, with many of the world’s most talented players competing.
Reigning champion Elena Rybakina returns to defend the title she won in 2024 by overcoming Daria Kasatkina, while last year’s beaten finalist is also heading back to the capital, where she will be looking to go one step further this time around.
Fan favourite, and three-time Grand Slam finalist, Ons Jabeur, will also compete after missing a large chunk of last season through injury. The Tunisian was beaten at the quarter-final stage last year and will be eager to make an impact in front of her huge fanbase.
Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu was a late addition to the line-up after being awarded a wildcard for the main draw, and the 2021 US Open winner will play her first match on either Monday or Tuesday.
A stellar playing field also includes Paula Badosa, a semi-finalist at the recent Australian Open, Belinda Bencic, winner of the inaugural Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open in 2023, Marketa Vondrousova, who claimed the Wimbledon title in 2023, and Caroline Garcia, WTA Finals champion in 2022, along with exciting young talents such as American rising star, Ashlyn Krueger, and Japan’s Wakana Sonobe who, at just 17, won the girls’ singles title at the Australian Open last weekend.
FREE ENTRY ON OPENING WEEKEND
Entry on opening weekend is completely free, meaning fans can take advantage of a fantastic opportunity to watch the qualifiers, featuring players such as Brit Heather Watson, USA’s Sofia Kenin and France’s Diane Parry, at no cost.
Children can attend the first five days of the tournament for free, while adult tickets start from just AED 25 per person.
Tickets for the final day’s play, when the men’s, women’s and doubles champions will be crowned, are selling fast, with only Category 2 seats (priced AED 75 for adults and AED 35 for children) remaining.
To watch the stars at even closer quarters, Courtside tickets are also available, with prices starting from AED 95.
Those spectators purchasing Courtside tickets on the final three days of the tournament (February 6, 7 and 8) will also be able to access the hospitality area, located in the Mubadala Tennis Village.
Tickets can be purchased via the official tournament website, www.mubadalaabudhabiopen.com
BIGGER AND BETTER FAN VILLAGE
At 15,000 square metres, the Mubadala Tennis Village is double the size of previous years, with a whole host of activations available for fans of all ages to enjoy.
Made up of five separate districts, spectators can take part in a number of tennis-themed activities, including the Serve ‘n’ Strike Wall, the Tennis Swing Station, where precision is key, and the Reaction Challenge, where participants are tasked with returning balls from a tennis machine and hitting interactive targets.
The more activations guests take part in, the better, because the Tennis Village Passport gives attendees a chance to be rewarded for their efforts. Passports will be given to guests on arrival, and subsequently stamped on completion of each activation, with prizes including tickets and branded merchandise awarded to those with 13 stamps.
SPORT AND MUSIC – THE PERFECT COMBINATION
The Mubadala Tennis Village will play host to musical acts throughout the tournament, starting on Saturday February 1 when Carl Lafrenais and the FTM Band take to the stage, followed by Gemma & JK on Sunday February 2. With entry to the event free on opening weekend, fans can head down to enjoy both brilliant tennis and fantastic live music.
Other musical acts to keep an eye out for over the course of the event include Irish singer/songwriter Joe Girvin, Darren Lynch, who will be performing classic hits, and Kerrie Duo, while Dan Moores and Chelsey will be providing the soundtrack to the final day’s play.
Combining top-tier tennis and fantastic off-court entertainment, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is the perfect day out for spectators of all ages.
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