Glitz and Games: Tennis Stars Shine at Dubai WTA Players’ Party

Rybakina, Gauff and champions past and present grace Arabian-chic event ahead of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

DUBAI – 19 February 2026 – The world’s elite women’s tennis players traded racquets for evening wear this week as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships hosted its annual WTA Players’ Party, a glittering pre-tournament tradition that blends high sport with high society.

Set against an elegant garden backdrop, the Arabian-chic inspired evening offered competitors a rare moment of calm before the intensity of WTA 1000 competition begins at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. The gathering featured a carefully curated mix of live music and roaming entertainment, creating what organisers described as a “vibrant yet intimate atmosphere” throughout the venue.

Among the star-studded guest list was newly-crowned Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, who posed for photographs alongside World No.4 Coco Gauff. The event also drew a remarkable collection of past Dubai champions, including Mirra Andreeva (2005), Jasmine Paolini (2024), and Elina Svitolina (2017, 2018).

Champions Connect

Rising teenage talent and former title holders mingled with representatives from Dubai Duty Free and tournament stakeholders, sharing light-hearted moments that underscored the strong sense of community defining the women’s event in its Gulf setting.

The evening offered players the opportunity to step away from rigorous match preparation and connect with fellow competitors and guests in a relaxed setting, highlighting the tournament’s signature blend of world-class sport and lifestyle hospitality.

Now firmly established as a signature off-court fixture, the WTA Players’ Party continues to demonstrate the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships’ ability to attract and celebrate the game’s biggest names in style.

Tournament Details

The WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships runs from 15–21 February at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, featuring 16 of the world’s top 20 players and 35 of the world’s top 40. The women’s event will be followed by the ATP 500 men’s tournament from 23–28 February.