Listen to the article
The organizing committee of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open women’s tennis tournament has announced it will host an official wheelchair tennis event for women for the first time in the championship’s history. According to the committee, the wheelchair tennis competition will be part of the official program of the tournament, which continues until February 7 at the International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City.
This historic addition to the Abu Dhabi tennis tournament marks a significant step toward greater inclusivity in professional tennis events in the United Arab Emirates. The event is being organized by VLB Sports, a Spanish sports event management company with extensive experience in delivering wheelchair tennis tournaments on major platforms.
Elite Wheelchair Tennis Players Heading to Abu Dhabi
The wheelchair tennis event will attract a roster of elite athletes according to the International Tennis Federation rankings. Leading the field is world number one Yui Kamiji from Japan, who brings her exceptional skills and competitive record to the Abu Dhabi courts.
Additionally, the tournament will feature Dutch player Aniek van Koot, currently ranked second in the world. The competition also includes South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane, ranked seventh globally, and Colombia’s Angelica Bernal, who holds the tenth position in world rankings.
Expanding the Tournament’s Reach
The inclusion of wheelchair tennis at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open represents an important development for the WTA 500-level tournament. By adding this category, the organizing committee demonstrates a commitment to showcasing tennis excellence across all competitive formats.
Meanwhile, the decision to incorporate wheelchair tennis aligns with broader initiatives within professional sports to provide platforms for athletes with disabilities. The International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City will serve as the venue for both the traditional women’s tournament and the new wheelchair tennis competition.
Professional Management and Organization
VLB Sports brings specialized expertise to the wheelchair tennis event at the Abu Dhabi tournament. The Spanish company has established a reputation for managing high-quality wheelchair tennis competitions at prestigious venues around the world.
However, the specific format and prize structure for the wheelchair tennis portion of the tournament have not been disclosed by organizers. The integration of wheelchair tennis into the main tournament schedule represents logistical coordination that event managers have carefully planned.
Significance for Regional Tennis Development
The Abu Dhabi tennis tournament’s expansion to include wheelchair competition could influence other regional sporting events. In contrast to previous years when the championship focused exclusively on able-bodied competition, this year’s format offers a more comprehensive showcase of professional tennis.
Furthermore, hosting top-ranked wheelchair tennis players provides visibility for adaptive sports in the Middle East region. The presence of world-class athletes like Kamiji and van Koot elevates the profile of wheelchair tennis among local audiences and aspiring players.
The quality of the athlete field assembled for this inaugural wheelchair tennis event at the Abu Dhabi Open reflects the tournament’s ability to attract premier talent. With four top-ten ranked players confirmed, spectators will witness world-class competition throughout the event.
As the tournament continues through February 7, organizers have not yet announced whether wheelchair tennis will become a permanent fixture of future Abu Dhabi Open championships. The success of this first-time inclusion may determine the event’s continuation in subsequent years.
