News & Current Affairs

Jabeur, Raducanu set for Abu Dhabi's Mubadala World Tennis Championship

By Azeezat Okunlola | Sep 29, 2022

Ons Jabeur, currently ranked second in the world, will be the first Arab to reach a Grand Slam final. She will defend her title in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi this coming December.

The Tunisian, who played in the final of the US Open earlier this month and the final of Wimbledon two months earlier, will face the No. 1-ranked player in Great Britain, Emma Raducanu, on the first day of the Championship, on December 16, as confirmed by organisers.

When Jabeur competed in and won last year's Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Zayed Sports City, she made history as the first Arab to do so. The 28-year-old overcame a set deficit to beat Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic in the women's main event, winning 4-6, 6-3, (10-8). The raucous crowd inside the International Tennis Center went wild.

World No. 2 Ons Jabeur, the first Arab to reach a Grand Slam final, will return to the UAE to defend her Mubadala World Tennis Championship crown in Abu Dhabi this December.

Organisers have confirmed the Tunisian, who contested the US Open final earlier this month and reached the Wimbledon final two months earlier, will take on British No. 1 Emma Raducanu on Day 1 of the Championship this December 16.

Last year, Jabeur became the first Arab to contest — and win — the annual Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sports City. The 28-year-old faced Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic in the headline women’s match. It came from a set down to claim a memorable 4-6, 6-3, (10-8) victory, to the delight of a raucous crowd inside the International Tennis Centre.

“Playing in Abu Dhabi is always exciting,” Jabeur said ahead of her appearance at the three-day championship, which runs from December 16–18. “I had a fantastic experience there in 2021, and I don't want to lose the opportunity to defend my championship title this year. Aside from the match itself, I am most excited to see my fans there — I find them extremely special as they have supported me throughout every competition I have participated in this year.”

Raducanu, who last year became the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles championship since 1977 at the US Open, will be the opponent on the other side of the net. Since Serena Williams in 2014, she has been the only player to win the US Open women's singles title without losing a set.

“I am thrilled to finally be making my debut in Abu Dhabi,” said Raducanu. “I've heard great things about the fans and how supportive they are, and I can’t wait to play in front of them all.”

John Lickrish, CEO of Flash Entertainment, added: “We promised we would bring the top players to compete in Abu Dhabi once again, and in Ons and Emma we have secured two of the sport’s biggest names.

“Ons is a crowd favourite and has enjoyed a tremendously successful year since winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship last December. Likewise, I know Emma is also extremely popular and tremendously excited about making her debut here in the UAE. I’m sure there will be huge interest from the tennis community both in the UAE and the wider region.”

Day one of the Championship will feature the women's matches and will cost Dh 95 for adults and Dh 45 for youngsters.

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