Two-time Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open champion Belinda Bencic will return to the capital next year to defend her title, organisers confirmed on Tuesday.
Olympic gold medallist Bencic, 28, won her first Mubadala title in 2023 and returned earlier this year to claim a second title, overturning a one-set deficit to defeat rising star Ashlyn Krueger in the final.
Joining world No 11 Bencic will be Philippines star Alexandra Eala. The 2025 Miami Open semi-finalist is now the highest-ranked Filipino in history, sitting 50th in the WTA Tour rankings.
Eala, 20, made history in August, becoming the first Filipino player to win a main draw match at a Grand Slam in the professional era with victory over 14th seed Clara Tauson in the opening round at the US Open.
With 28 singles players and 16 top doubles teams, the fourth edition of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, taking place from January 31-February 7, is set to build on the success of last season.
The WTA 500 event – part of the Hologic WTA tour – will once again span eight days, taking fans on a journey from opening qualifiers to the thrilling finals.
Each ticket purchased before the end of November will automatically enter fans into a prize draw to win a trip for two to the Mubadala DC Open 2026, in Washington, including return flights, accommodation and VIP access.
Homaid Al Shimmari, deputy group CEO and chief corporate & human capital officer for Mubadala Investment Company, said: “For more
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