https://arab.news/b2h5e
- The 19-year-old will rub shoulders with the likes of Ons Jabeur, Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu
Saudi Arabia’s Yara Al-Hogbani is gearing up for the next significant step in her tennis career when she takes part in the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open from Feb. 3-11 at Zayed Sports City.
The 19-year-old received a wild card for the second edition of the tournament in the UAE capital and will step on the court for her qualifier this weekend. The identity of her opponent will be announced after Friday’s draw.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open will represent the highest profile tournament yet that Al-Hogbani has taken part in, with likes of Tunisian star and crowd favorite Ons Jabeur, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka and US Open winner Emma Raducanu — also a wild card — part of a strong line-up.
Having turned professional at the age of 14, Al-Hogbani became the first-ever Saudi woman to win a professional tennis event in 2022, defeating Tamara Ermakova to claim the J5 Isa Town tournament in Bahrain.
“I’m very happy to have been awarded a wild card for the qualifiers at this year’s Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and I’m looking forward to testing myself against some great players,” said the Saudi starlet last week after the announcement of her participation.
“It’s so pleasing to see these types of tournaments take place in the Middle East and I’m sure it will be another exciting competition.”