The Women’s Tennis Association has confirmed that Philippine tennis star Alex Eala will participate in the WTA 500 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open 2026, joining defending champion Belinda Bencic from January 31 to February 7.
A Tough Start for Eala in 2026
Aside from committing in this tournament, Alex has also previously targeted playing in 2 other WTA tournaments come January 2026.
The Grand Slam of Australia Open which has their qualifying rounds run from January 13-16, with a one-day break before the main draw play begins January 18.
The other proposed event is the Philippine Women’s Open 2026 from January 26 to February 1.
Bencic Returns to Defend Her Crown
Belinda Bencic will be back in Abu Dhabi next season as she looks to continue her outstanding resurgence and defend her Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title.
The Swiss star enjoyed a remarkable 2025 campaign after returning from maternity leave, climbing from No. 487 to No. 11 in the PIF World Rankings and reclaiming her status among the tour’s elite. Her championship run in Abu Dhabi last year, highlighted by wins over Elena Rybakina, Marketa Vondrousova, and Veronika Kudermetova before rallying past Ashlyn Krueger in the final, proved to be one of the turning points of her comeback.
The victory marked her second Abu Dhabi title following her triumph in 2023, keeping her unbeaten at the event as she celebrated on court with her daughter, Bella.
She has since added more milestones, including a semifinal showing at Wimbledon and her 10th career trophy at the Toray Pan Pacific Open. With her strong form, Bencic is also in contention for a top-10 seeding at the 2026 Australian Open should she break back into the elite tier before January.
Reflecting on her return, Bencic said:
“It feels amazing to be coming back to Abu Dhabi again as defending champion. 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. I’m looking forward to another great week of tennis in February.”
Eala Joins Early Line-Up as Filipino Tennis Continues to Rise
Also headlining the initial player list is Alexandra Eala, who continues to establish herself as one of the brightest young prospects on the WTA Tour.
The 20-year-old Filipina first appeared in Abu Dhabi in 2024 and has since climbed into the world’s Top 50, the highest ranking achieved by any Filipino player in history. Her breakthrough 2025 season featured a semifinal run in Miami, a finals appearance in Eastbourne, and a landmark moment at the US Open, where she became the first Filipino to win a main-draw match in the professional era.
Eala’s steady rise reflects both her expanding skillset and her growing stature as a national sports icon.
The former US Open girls’ singles champion and long-time Rafa Nadal Academy product has turned into one of Asia’s most compelling young competitors.
Now preparing for her second appearance in Abu Dhabi, she expressed excitement about returning to an event that played a role in her early senior-tour development.
“Playing in Abu Dhabi in 2024 was such an amazing experience. The support from the Filipino fans and the incredible atmosphere really inspired me. I’ve been working hard and have learned so much since then, and I’m thrilled to be coming back stronger for the 2026 tournament. It’s an honour to compete alongside so many top players,” Eala said.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open will be played at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City, will feature a 28-player singles draw and 16 top doubles teams as part of the Hologic WTA Tour.
Building on the record-breaking turnout in 2025, the event promises another week of top-tier tennis, entertainment, and community activities.
With Bencic chasing a third title and Eala aiming to push her breakthrough season even further, the stage is set for another memorable edition in the UAE capital.
