The new tennis season will begin with the Abu Dhabi Exhibition, set to open this weekend, and excitement is already building. With several withdrawals reshaping the draw, Austrian star Dominic Thiem has been elevated to the top seed. For many fans, the return of legends like Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic gives the event the same anticipation and drama that surrounds a nail-biting BD Cricket Match, where every serve or swing could turn the tide.
One of the biggest attractions will be the first-ever women’s match staged at this exhibition. Serena Williams, returning to competition after giving birth to her daughter, will face reigning French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. This highly anticipated encounter pits two aggressive and powerful shot-makers against each other, promising a spectacle of intensity and flair. For Serena, the match marks an emotional comeback. She expressed her excitement: “I am so happy that my first match since my daughter’s birth will be here in Abu Dhabi. This exhibition has always been a major men’s event, and I feel honored to be the first woman to compete here. I can’t wait to see the Abu Dhabi fans and to face Ostapenko.” Ostapenko echoed that sentiment, saying she was proud to make history as one of the first women to play in the event she had followed for many years.
On the men’s side, withdrawals from Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, and Milos Raonic due to fitness issues meant the draw was reshuffled. Their places were taken by Roberto Bautista Agut, Kevin Anderson, and Russian rising star Andrey Rublev. This inevitably dimmed some of the star power, but the excitement remains. Thiem, ranked fifth in the world, now stands as the No. 1 seed and receives a first-round bye. He will meet the winner of the match between Pablo Carreño Busta and US Open finalist Kevin Anderson in the semifinal. Djokovic, returning from an extended injury layoff, enters as the No. 2 seed and also enjoys a first-round bye. His semifinal opponent will be either Bautista Agut or Rublev.
The event, scheduled from December 28 to 30, will feature men’s first-round matches on the opening day, followed by the semifinals on the 29th. The final day will showcase both the men’s final and the historic women’s clash between Serena and Ostapenko. With Serena eager to make a statement on her return and Ostapenko hungry to prove herself against one of the all-time greats, the stage is set for fireworks.
For tennis fans worldwide, this exhibition offers more than just preparation for the season—it represents resilience, comebacks, and the beginning of new rivalries. Much like the decisive overs of a BD Cricket Match, the Abu Dhabi games will keep audiences glued to every moment. As Djokovic seeks to regain his dominance and Serena steps back onto the court to reclaim her throne, the tournament promises to be an unforgettable start to the year, full of passion, history, and the spirit of true competition, just like a thrilling BD Cricket Match.