The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is shining a spotlight on the next generation of tennis talent through the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open initiative, a Mubadala-supported grassroots development programme that gives young players across the UAE the opportunity to compete, progress, and ultimately experience finals played on the same stage as the world’s elite.
Designed to inspire participation and nurture long-term development, the Road to the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open sees children compete across multiple age categories, with top performers earning the chance to contest finals during the tournament itself at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City from 31 January-7 February.
The Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open was developed with the support of Mubadala as a core pillar of the tournament’s community and legacy programmes, and is fully sanctioned by the UAE Tennis Federation.
It provides players of all ages – from junior age groups (U12, U14, U16) through to adults and over-35 categories – with a structured competition pathway across multiple sanctioned events held at venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah.
Points earned through these tournaments contribute to both the official UAE Tennis Federation rankings and a dedicated Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open leaderboard, with the top performers advancing through playoffs and ultimately competing in finals during the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open tournament week.
Beyond competition, the programme offers compelling incentives and opportunities. In addition to national ranking points, the leading players in each category earn the chance to compete for honours at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open finals on centre courts in Zayed Sports City, while
standout youth champions have the chance to win all-expenses-paid training experiences at internationally renowned academy, the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy in Spain that helped nurture Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Mubadala Deputy Chief Communications Officer Umayma Abubakar said: “Mubadala is committed to driving positive impact through sport and as a sponsor of the Road to the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, this initiative embodies our tennis legacy. We believe in the power of long-term sports investment, supporting young talent, strengthening community partnerships and participation, while creating pathways that connect grassroots development with the world stage.”
By integrating local competition with the professional tournament environment, the initiative aims to elevate the standard of tennis in the UAE and provide aspiring players with real pathways to progress their game.
Among this year’s standout performers is Dubai-based 13-year-old Rafa Aldemita, who hails from the Philippines and claimed top spot in the Under-14 Boys competition culminating in February 2025 following a run of impressive performances across the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open series.
Rafa Aldemita said: “Playing in the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is an amazing experience. Competing all the way through to the finals at such a big tournament really motivates me to keep improving and dreaming bigger.”
Another name to watch is 15-year-old Timur Gordeev, Russian-born and raised in Dubai, who secured the Under-16 Boys title for the second consecutive year in 2025, underlining his consistency and competitive pedigree on the UAE and global junior circuits.
Timur Gordeev said: “Getting the chance to play as part of Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open was unforgettable. Seeing the top players up close pushes me to work harder every day.”
When discussing the Road to MADO, one name stands out: Bulgarian talent Isabelle James. The Dubai-based 14-year-old claimed the Under-14s title in both 2024 and 2025 and will be aiming to complete a remarkable hat-trick at this year’s edition.
Isabelle James said: “Winning the Junior Road to the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open for a second time was an unforgettable experience, made even more special by the opportunity to meet some of the world’s top WTA players. One of the highlights was receiving an incredible prize – the chance to train at the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy in Spain. I hope I can achieve another victory this year.”
The grassroots programme builds momentum as the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open prepares for its fourth edition, returning from 31 January to 7 February 2026 as a WTA 500 event. The 2026 field
already includes confirmations from defending champion Belinda Bencic, rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko, and Filipina breakthrough talent Alexandra Eala.
Interest is also building from other emerging and established players across the WTA Tour, underlining Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a destination where fans can witness both proven champions and the sport’s future stars.
Organised by MARI in partnership with Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open continues to blend world-class tennis with meaningful community engagement – from grassroots pathways like Road to MADO to elite competition on centre court.
Further announcements relating to Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and the 2026 tournament player field will be revealed in the coming weeks.
