Fresh off the heat and intensity of Melbourne, the spotlight now shifts to Dubai as Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina returns to the city for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, starting February 15.

Rybakina, who claimed her second Grand Slam title after defeating the defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka, in a gripping three-set final, arrives in Dubai riding the momentum of her finest season yet. Now ranked world No. 3, the Russian star returns not just as a tournament favourite, but as a Dubai resident, having made the city her home since 2024.

For fans, her return carries added meaning. Dubai has long been a special stop on Rybakina’s calendar. She reached the final here on her debut in 2020 and followed it up with a semi-final appearance last year. Competing on familiar courts and backed by strong home support, she will once again be one of the players to watch.

This year’s tournament promises exceptional depth, with all eight Australian Open quarterfinalists confirmed to compete. The lineup includes world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiątek, American stars Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, two-time Dubai winner Elina Svitolina, and rising teenage talent Iva Jovic.

Tournament organisers say the proximity to the Australian Open adds a unique edge to the competition. With the world’s top 20 players arriving straight from Melbourne, Dubai becomes the next major testing ground on the hard-court calendar.

The WTA tournament runs from February 15 to 21, followed by the ATP 500 men’s event from February 23 to 28, ensuring two weeks of elite tennis action for fans across the city.

For Dubai residents, the Championships offer a rare chance to see the world’s biggest tennis names, including a newly crowned Grand Slam champion, competing on home soil.