File photo of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.
Doha, Qatar: The draw for the 2026 Qatar TotalEnergies Open, the first WTA 1000 women’s tennis event of the season, was conducted today at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.
The tournament will feature a strong field of world-class players competing on outdoor hard courts from 8 to 14 February, with qualifying rounds underway and the main draw set to begin on Sunday.
Top players in this year's draw include three‑time Doha champion Iga Swiatek of Poland, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan - fresh from her Australian Open success - and defending champion Amanda Anisimova of the United States. Other leading names in the field are Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini and Elina Svitolina, all of whom are seeded among the top players.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who won in Doha in 2020, has withdrawn from the event after adjusting her schedule following the Australian Open, with World No. 34 Emiliana Arango and World No. 57 Cristina Bucsa entering the main draw in her place.
The top eight seeds are granted byes into the second round, providing an early advantage as competition intensifies.
The draw has set up intriguing potential matchups, including a possible clash between Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva in the later stages of the event, while defending champion Anisimova faces a challenging path as she bids to retain her Doha crown.
The event has attracted most of the world's top 20 players, with 56 singles players scheduled to compete and 32 teams in the doubles draw. Prize money for the tournament exceeds USD 4.08 million, with ranking points and financial rewards on offer deep into the second week.
