WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021: Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams to skip event; Sofia Kenin and Elina Svitolina lead the draw

WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021: Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams to skip event; Sofia Kenin and Elina Svitolina lead the draw

Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Sofia Kenin, Elina Svitolina

Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Sofia Kenin, Elina Svitolina

After the inauguration of a new WTA Tour logo and tier-list, a first event for the women’s tour will take place in 2021. Abu Dhabi Women’s Tennis Open is a WTA 500 tournament which will bring forth its first edition from 5-13 January. This a highly-anticipated event wherein the likes of Top-5 players Sofia Kenin and Elina Svitolina are the first and second seeds respectively. 

Even so, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams, and the reigning U.S Open champion, Naomi Osaka, will not contend at the opening event for the WTA Tour. In addition, the World No.2, Simona Halep, has withdrawn as well. 

Williams, Osaka and Halep out from Abu Dhabi Open

Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams

America’s Williams is en route to open the bid for her 24th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open 2021 which will start from 8 February. The 39-year-old has been open about her goal to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record. Hence, she chose to not appear in Abu Dhabi Open. 

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Further, the three-time Grand Slam champion, Osaka, will also make her first appearance at the Australian Open. The 23-year-old was a champion at the Slam in 2019. Japan’s top-player is aiming to reclaim her former position of being the world’s best. 

Rather than appearing in Abu Dhabi, Romania’s Halep has decided to find her rhythm on court elsewhere. She will contend at the WTA 500 event in Australia itself before appearing at the Major.

The Top-Players scheduled to appear in Abu Dhabi

Coco Gauff, Sofia Kenin, Belinda Bencic, Karolina Pliskova

WTA Abu Dhabi Open will see a total of 64 players competing for 500 points. Some top-players that are scheduled to compete here along with Kenin and Svitolina are Karolina Pliskova, Aryna Sabalenka and Belinda Bencic. These aces have already bagged commendable achievements, but are looking to get back at the peak again. 

Moreover, Grand Slam champions, Gabrine Muguruza and Jelena Ostapenko will also compete here. Furthermore, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybkina, Elise Mertens and Marketa Vondrousova will also be featured. 

Also Read: WTA Tour calendar for 2021: Multiple Events Confirmed