Vondrousova, Krueger and Garcia bolster Abu Dhabi Open stellar cast

Caroline Garcia, Marketa Vondrousova, Ashlyn Krueger and Wakana Sonobe have been added to a star-studded line up for this year’s Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, scheduled to take place from Feb.1-8 at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City.

Excitement continues to build ahead of the third edition of the all-female WTA 500 event, and what was already a strong field has been bolstered by the addition of four more talented players, with Garcia, Vondrousova and Krueger awarded wildcards for the main draw, while Sonobe earns a wildcard for the qualifiers.

French star Garcia, 31, has won 11 WTA Tour singles titles and is a two-time major champion in doubles after winning the French Open in 2016 and 2022, alongside compatriot Kristina Mladenovic. In the 2024 season, she reached the quarter-finals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, demonstrating her consistency at high-level tournaments. A WTA Finals champion in 2022, Garcia is known for her aggressive baseline play, making her a dangerous contender in Abu Dhabi.

Czech Vondrousova, 25, secured her first Grand Slam in 2023 when she defeated Ons Jabeur in the Wimbledon final, making history by becoming the first unseeded female to claim the title. She also won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after losing to Belinda Bencic in three sets.

American rising star Krueger, 20, has made significant strides in her career in the last 12 months. In 2024, she achieved her first main-draw victory in a WTA 1000 event, ironically defeating Garcia at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Krueger also reached the third round of the US Open, highlighting her ability to challenge top players on her day. Her powerful serve and fearless approach will make her an exciting player to watch at this year’s Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.

Aged just 17, Japan’s Wakana Sonobe is one of tennis’s brightest prospects and showcased her unquestionable talent by winning the girls’ singles title at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Sonobe, who was also a runner-up at last year’s US Open, took less than one hour to beat USA’s Kristina Penickova in straight sets, losing just a single game on her way to victory.

Garcia, Krueger and Sonobe will all be returning to Abu Dhabi having competed in the 2024 competition. Garcia faced a challenging first-round match against Sorana Cirstea, where she was edged out in a three-set battle, while Krueger lost at the hands of eventual runner-up, Daria Kasatkina.