The world of sports across the GCC is taking on a completely new shape. Back in 2022, the whole world had its eyes set on Qatar as the first-ever Arab host of the FIFA World Cup. Saudi Arabia followed in tow with the Kingdom making major investments in a multitude of sports.
Then there’s the Emirates, a nation that’s well aware of the growing involvement of its GCC neighbors, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in the sports world and, in turn, isn’t holding back in stretching its wings in the world of sports.
Today, tennis is on all these countries’ radars, with each having major plans for the sport.
In Saudi Arabia, men’s professional tennis appears to be the next sport of interest for the Kingdom, especially as they’re primed to host the ‘6 Kings Slam’ exhibition in October, which will see a multi-million-dollar tennis exhibition featuring major tennis giants like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner. Dubai and Qatar also have some big plans in store.
In the month of February alone, the GCC is taking a big dive into the tennis world; here are the biggest tournaments to look forward to:
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (Feb 3 to 11)
Picture this: top players in the tennis world are already in Abu Dhabi, including the likes of Tunisian superstar Ons Jabeur, four-time Japanese Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, and world No. 5 Kazakhstani tennis player Elena Rybakina. The world’s top tennis players are currently taking part in the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open known as a professional tennis tournament on the WTA Tour.
This is the second time the event has made its way to Abu Dhabi, and now it has become a permanent fixture on the WTA calendar. To witness this major event, you can buy tickets through the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open official page.
If you can’t make it to Abu Dhabi this February, you can always watch the matches from the comfort of your home on several channels.
Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2024 (Feb 11 to 17)
Known as the 22nd edition of the WTA Qatar Open and a WTA 1000 tournament, the Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2024 will be taking place at the International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar.
As with Abu Dhabi, Doha will be seeing top female tennis players hitting the court, including the Polish tennis champion Iga Świątek as well as USA’s Coco Gauff.
It’s unlike other tournaments, as all the top ten players are on the card to feature in the event, making it a must-attend happening for every tennis enthusiast out there. To witness it for yourself, you can buy tickets through Koobit.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (Feb 26 to March 2)
Along with the female tennis players slaying the courts, top male tennis players are also making an appearance with the hugely anticipated ATP men’s tournament that’ll take place from February 26 to March 2 in Dubai.
Making an appearance are reigning champion Russian professional tennis player Daniil Medvedev as well as British tennis player Andy Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion and Olympic gold medallist.
Beyond the actual championships, fans will gain access to a unique opportunity to interact with their tennis idols in intriguing activities. To attend the highly anticipated event, you can buy tickets through their official page.
The big boom in the world of tennis in the GCC is yet another way that countries are getting closer to achieving their goals. What else do you think will be happening in the region this year?