Barbora Krejcikova said it will be up to former doubles partner Katerina Siniakova to decide if the pair reunite to defend their gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer.
Czech pair Krejcikova and Siniakova enjoyed remarkable success together, winning seven Grand Slam doubles titles, one WTA Finals title, and Olympic gold in Tokyo.
However, it was announced in November that the pair would split for the 2024 season. No specific reasons were made public for the ending of the most successful women’s doubles team of a generation.
Speaking exclusively to The National on Monday ahead of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, Krejcikova revealed that it was Siniakova who decided to end their partnership, and the former French Open singles champion said she would “love” to reunite with her compatriot for the Olympics.
“Last year when we were splitting and she told me she wanted to go in a different direction, we brought up this topic [of competing at the Olympics],” Krejcikova, 28, said. “This decision [to split] was Katerina’s, not really mine – I would love to play with her and I would love to compete at the Olympics with her.
“So, it’s more on her to actually approach me and to talk to me about it, to see how she feels. I’m very open to reuniting and playing the Olympics together, but it’s more on her right now.”
Tennis at the Olympics allows for each nation to provide up to four players for the singles events, two teams per doubles event, and one team for the mixed doubles. At present, world No 12 Krejcikova is the third-highest ranked Czech on the WTA Tour for singles and at No 24, the second-highest ranked in the doubles, two places behind former partner Siniakova.
Should she be at the Paris Games, Krejcikova will be one of the favourites to medal in all or any of the events she participates in. The tennis tournament will be played at Roland Garros – the venue of the French Open, where Krejcikova has won three major titles.
“I would love to qualify, I would love to be part of the team,” Krejcikova said. “I would love to play singles and doubles, and if I have the opportunity I would love to play mixed [doubles]. But on the other hand, the Czech Republic is a very strong nation, especially in women’s tennis. It’s still a long way to go but definitely I want to do everything to qualify and be competing at the Olympics.”
Indeed, there is still plenty of time to worry about the Paris Games. For now, the focus for the Czech is on the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open where, as the fourth seed, she has received a bye into the second round.
Krejcikova knows all too well what it takes to succeed in the UAE having won the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships last season, a triumph made all the more impressive by beating in-form world No 1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets in the final.
“There are some differences [between Dubai and Abu Dhabi tournaments] – the court, the balls, other slight differences – but I just like to be here and to play here,” said Krejcikova, who reached the Australian Open quarter-finals last month. “The conditions can suit me, and I’ve had a good start to the season and hopefully I can do well here too.”
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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More on Quran memorisation:
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
