Australian Open champ Rybakina hoping for a chance to finally celebrate at her ‘home’ tournament this week in Dubai
World No. 3 balances busy calendar and strong WTA 1000 field
DUBAI – More than two weeks have passed since Elena Rybakina lifted the Australian Open trophy in Melbourne, yet the Kazakh star admits she has barely had a moment to pause. The intensity of the modern tennis calendar has meant travel, illness and immediate competition have replaced celebration. Now, at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the World No. 3 is hoping her adopted home tournament offers a long-awaited chance to savour her Grand Slam success.
For Rybakina, Dubai carries special meaning. The 26-year-old has lived in the city since 2024 and considers the WTA 1000 event a home fixture. However, her return has been anything but restful.
“I honestly feel like it’s not enough time,” she said, reflecting on the days following her Melbourne triumph. En route from Australia to Qatar, Rybakina stopped briefly in Dubai but fell ill. “When I got back home, I got a little cold, so I was not celebrating. I was literally in bed for a couple of days. Then we had to go to Doha. It’s quite a busy schedule.”
She went on to reach the quarter-finals in Doha before turning her attention to Dubai. While players can choose their tournaments selectively, Rybakina made clear that skipping her home event was not an option. “It’s a pity to miss a tournament if you’re at home, that’s for sure. Everything has been pretty quick, so hopefully I will get some rest later and celebrate bigger.”
Tough draw
The draw has offered little breathing space. As top seed at this year’s edition, Rybakina faces a challenging potential path. A projected quarter-final against seventh seed Elina Svitolina could await, followed by a possible semi-final meeting with World No. 5 Coco Gauff.
The depth of the field underlines the magnitude of the task. The tournament features 16 of the world’s top 20 ranked players and 35 of the top 40, reaffirming its status as one of the most competitive stops on the WTA calendar. Eight players, including World No. 8 Jasmine Paolini, have received first-round byes.
Paolini returns to Dubai with particularly fond memories. The Italian captured the title here in 2024, claiming her first WTA 1000 crown. That breakthrough preceded a landmark season in which she reached the Wimbledon final, firmly establishing herself among the elite.
Despite her rise, Paolini insists her focus remains on process rather than outcome. “The goal has to be enjoying being on the court, to focus on the work and not on the result,” she said. Having suffered a first-round exit in Doha last week to Maria Sakkari, she welcomes the change of surroundings.
Playing in Dubai
Dubai has proven a transformative venue for Paolini. “To me, it’s an amazing place to play tennis, so it’s nice to be back here,” she said. Reflecting on her 2024 triumph, she recalled her surprise at the time. “Before winning the tournament, I was like, ‘I cannot play well here’, yet in that year something changed. I don’t know why.”
Now 30, she views the conditions as a source of encouragement for the months ahead. “I like these conditions. Hopefully it gives me energy for this tournament, but also for the rest of the season.”
Rybakina, meanwhile, is still acquainting herself with the tournament’s newly expanded facilities. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium has unveiled a new 2,000-seat Court 1 along with a larger Tennis Village, enhancing the spectator experience. “I didn’t even see the new court yet because today was my first practice after Doha,” she said. “But it’s nice to stay home. You have your spots, you have some things to do, so it’s always nice.”
Commercial boost
Off the court, the event reflects the growing commercial strength of the women’s game. Gauff has been selected as the face of Mercedes-Benz’s new long-term partnership with the WTA Tour. For the first time at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the iconic three-pointed star is displayed on the nets throughout the tournament.
“I’m happy they decided to support women’s tennis and allow me to be the face of that new transition for them,” said Gauff. “It’s great for the tour and great for women’s sports. It definitely shows we have market value. These big, prestigious brands want to get involved.”
She noted that Rolex has long been associated with tennis and welcomed Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to the women’s game. “I’m very happy to be representing Mercedes. It’s cool to see the little symbol on the net.”
The 26th edition of the annual WTA event runs from February 15 to 21 and is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free. It is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Following the women’s competition, the emirate will host its ATP 500 men’s tournament from February 23 to 28.
Tickets for the 2026 Championships are currently on sale, with prices starting from Dh65.