Top 10 female tennis stars set to battle in Dubai for WTA 1000 glory

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is set to mark its 25th anniversary with a stellar lineup featuring the world’s top 10 female players. Taking place from February 16-22, the prestigious WTA 1000 event promises high-intensity action at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

Leading the pack is World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, who returns to Dubai after a dominant 2024 season that saw her claim the Australian Open and US Open titles. Joining her is second-ranked Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, who aims to improve on her semi-final finish last year.

Fresh off her maiden Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open, Madison Keys is set to make a strong appearance, along with US Open champion Coco Gauff, who will compete for the fourth time in Dubai. Other top contenders include Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, and last year’s Dubai champion Jasmine Paolini, who had a breakout season in 2024 with a WTA 1000 title, two Grand Slam final appearances, and an Olympic gold medal in doubles.

Elena Rybakina, Qinwen Zheng, and Paula Badosa round out the top 10 players in the tournament, with each looking to leave their mark in the highly competitive field. The event, which was elevated to permanent WTA 1000 status last year, continues to cement its place as a key stop on the global tennis calendar.

“This year’s tournament is packed with the world’s best players, making it a fitting way to celebrate our 25th anniversary,” said Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Chairman of the tournament’s Organising Committee.

Tickets for the highly anticipated event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, are available now at dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com and ticketmaster.ae.