Daria Kasatkina will return to the capital for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open in February 2025 hoping to go one better than her previous attempt that saw her lose in the final against Elena Rybakina.
The Russian, currently ranked No 9 in the WTA rankings, is enjoying a good run of form having clinched the Ningo Open in China last month for her eighth Tour title.
In this year's Abu Dhabi Open at Zayed Sports City, Kasatkina defeated Diane Parry, Ashlyn Krueger, Sorana Cirstea and Beatriz Haddad Maia in her run to the final where she was beaten by top seed Rybakina 6-1, 6-4.
The 27-year-old is the latest addition to an already strong line-up for the tournament that runs from February 1-8 that includes the likes of three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur, Haddad Maia – twice a losing semi-finalist in Abu Dhabi – and 2023 champion Belinda Bencic.
“I’m thrilled to be returning for another shot at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title,” said Kasatkina, whose best run in a Slam saw her reach the French Open semi-finals in 2022 where she was beaten by eventual champion Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-1 at Roland Garros.
“Last year’s tournament was an incredible experience, competing in front of such passionate fans, and reaching the final was unforgettable.
“While on that occasion I came up short against a very strong opponent, it has only fuelled my determination to go one step further this time. I’m feeling confident in my game, and I’m looking forward to competing once again in Abu Dhabi.”
Kasatkina took part in the season-ending WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia as an alternate for the injured the injured Jessica Pegula but was thrashed 6-1, 6-0 by Swiatek in her only group-stage match.
Fan favourite Jabeur confirmed her return to Abu Dhabi for the third edition of the WTA 500 event last month after enduring an injury-ravaged 2024 season.
The Tunisian decided against playing at the Paris Olympics rather than risk aggravating a long-standing knee injury but then missed the US Open due to a shoulder problem.
Her best run in the three other Grand Slams came at the French Open where she was beaten in the quarter-finals 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 by Coco Gauff.
“I’m delighted to be returning to the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, one of my favourite tournaments in my home region where I always receive such fantastic support,” said Jabeur, who was struggling with her knee problem when losing to Brazilian Haddad Maia in this year's quarter-finals.
“It’s been a frustrating few months out with my shoulder injury, but I expect to be back fully fit for 2025.”
Former world No 4 Bencic became the tournament's inaugural champion in 2023 when she overcame Liudmila Samsonova to clinch the title but the Swiss was unable to defend her title due to being pregnant with her first child.
“Winning this tournament in 2023 was an unforgettable moment in my career, and I’m looking forward to coming back as a new mother and experiencing the amazing atmosphere,” Bencic said last month.
“It’s been a special journey returning to the tour after giving birth, and I can’t wait to be back on court in a place which holds such special memories.”
Also set to compete at Zayed Sports City is four-time WTA title winner Paula Badosa who will be making her debut.
“It’s a tournament I’ve wanted to play since it began in 2023, but unfortunately I had to withdraw previously due to injuries, however I’m determined to make the most of this opportunity in 2025,” said the Spaniard last month
“Abu Dhabi is an incredible city with amazing fans, and the tournament always attracts such a strong field. I’m feeling good about my form right now, and I’m looking forward to showing what I’m capable of in February.”
Third Test
Result: India won by 203 runs
Series: England lead five-match series 2-1
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
HOW TO WATCH
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
Princeton
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
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
