Swiss tennis star Belinda Bencic has identified the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open as a particularly significant event in her professional career as she prepares to compete for an unprecedented third championship title. The World No. 10 returned to Zayed Sports City’s Stadium Court on Sunday, engaging in pre-tournament photography alongside the trophy she has claimed twice before.
Bencic’s remarkable relationship with this tournament includes championship victories in both 2023 and 2025, with her most recent triumph representing a career milestone. Her 2025 win against American Ashlyn Krueger marked a spectacular comeback following maternity leave, demonstrating the 28-year-old’s exceptional resilience and competitive prowess on the WTA Tour.
The Olympic gold medalist (Tokyo 2020) maintains an undefeated record at the Abu Dhabi event, where her combination of precision shot-making, strategic intelligence, and emotional connection with spectators has created memorable moments. Her 2025 victory became particularly poignant when she celebrated on court with her daughter, Bella, before a capacity crowd at Zayed Sports City.
Bencic, who has received a bye into the Round of 32 and will commence her campaign on Monday, expressed her affection for the tournament: ‘The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is a special tournament for me – I’ve had some of my best memories here. The atmosphere is always incredible, and it means so much to return to a place where I’ve felt so much support from the fans.’
The tournament, organized by MARI in partnership with Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has rapidly evolved into one of the WTA Tour’s most engaging early-season competitions. Running from January 31 to February 7, the event combines elite women’s tennis with extensive community engagement initiatives and family-oriented activities, offering a comprehensive sports entertainment experience.