Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
In a landmark first for the tournament, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open will host an official women’s wheelchair tennis event, seamlessly integrating elite wheelchair competition into its WTA programme and underscoring the event’s deep commitment to inclusion and accessibility.
The tournament running from February 4 to 7 welcomes a stellar line-up from the top of the ITF Wheelchair Tennis rankings, featuring the world’s top-ranked Yui Kamiji of Japan, world No.2 Aniek van Koot of the Netherlands, world No.7 Kgothatso Montjane of South Africa and world No.10 Angelica Bernal of Colombia – bringing global stars to Abu Dhabi.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to participate in Abu Dhabi,” Kamiji said in a statement. “This is our first attempt at women’s wheelchair tennis, and it must be a very big step not only for us but also for wheelchair tennis. It’s a great honour to be part of it. We look forward to seeing you all and preparing for the best performance.”
Fans can look forward to fast-paced, high-intensity matches showcasing speed, precision and remarkable athleticism. Wheelchair tennis follows standard rules with the added allowance of two bounces, delivering a dynamic and thrilling spectator experience.
Tournament director Nigel Gupta said: “Inclusion is not an add-on for us – it is part of how the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open continues to evolve. Welcoming women’s wheelchair tennis into the programme reflects our commitment to accessibility, opportunity and showcasing world-class sport in all its forms.
