Belinda Bencic’s long-awaited return to one of her happiest hunting grounds ended before it could even begin, as illness forced the defending champion to withdraw from the 2026 Abu Dhabi Open. Few tournaments carry as much emotional weight for Bencic as the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open. 

The Swiss star has produced some of the most memorable moments of her career at Zayed Sports City, most notably last year when she lifted the trophy for a second time and celebrated the victory on court with her daughter, Bella, in front of an adoring crowd. “The Abu Dhabi Open is a special tournament for me - I’ve had some of my best memories here,” Bencic had said ahead of her Round of 16 clash against Sonay Kartal. “Both on and off the court, I feel incredibly comfortable here. The conditions really suit my game.” However, the 28-year-old’s Middle East swing took an unexpected turn. Bencic, the top seed at the WTA 500 event, announced a late withdrawal due to illness, ending her title defense before stepping onto the court and costing her the 500 ranking points she was defending.

In her statement on IG stories, Bencic revealed how close she came to competing. The Swiss star admitted she had tried “desperately” to be fit in time but ultimately had no choice but to pull out, while reiterating how much the tournament means to her. “Hi everyone, I am sorry to say I have to withdraw from @mubadalaabudhabiopen due to illness. I have tried desperately to be ready to play, but finally today it was clear I could not,” Bencic wrote. “It’s a special tournament that means a lot to me, and I have a special place in my heart with the fans. I was excited to defend my title. I look forward to hopefully returning next year to this fantastic event. Thank you for your support!”

She will now be replaced by the lucky loser, Renata Zarazua. Belinda Bencic’s withdrawal is particularly disappointing given her dominant history in Abu Dhabi. She captured the title for the first time in 2023 after defeating Liudmila Samsonova in the final, claiming her eighth career WTA Tour title. Two years later, in 2025, she returned to the winner’s circle by beating Ashlyn Krueger in the final, securing her ninth career title and her first since returning from maternity leave.

Despite those triumphs, Bencic has often stressed that success in Abu Dhabi has never come easily. “The two titles I won here were all tough matches - three-set battles where I had to stay laser-focused,” she previously explained. “You have to be ready for every match, and the support from the people here really helps.”

Before arriving in Abu Dhabi, Belinda Bencic had a busy start to her 2026 season. She represented Switzerland at the United Cup, where the team finished runners-up to Poland. She then competed at the Australian Open, defeating Katie Boulter in the opening round before suffering a second-round exit to qualifier Nikola Bartůňková.

Looking ahead, Bencic is expected to return to action at the Qatar Open. The WTA 1000 event is scheduled to take place from February 8 to February 14, 2026, at the International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, where the Swiss star will hope to put her Abu Dhabi disappointment behind her and regain momentum as the season progresses. 

Her Abu Dhabi withdrawal was more like a double blow. Here’s the exact reason why we’re saying this:

Belinda Bencic will now exit the Top 10

Belinda Bencic’s forced withdrawal from the Abu Dhabi Open has triggered an immediate and painful rankings setback, one that will see the Swiss star drop out of the WTA Top 10 despite her strong start to the season.

Ahead of her scheduled Round of 16 clash against qualifier Sonay Kartal, Bencic sounded calm and optimistic about where her game was heading in 2026. Freshly back inside the Top 10, the 28-year-old made it clear that consistency - not silverware - was her primary target this season.

“I feel very positive about the season,” Bencic said. “I’ve improved some parts of my game, and my main goal is to be a steady Top 10 player - to stay around the top eight and slowly keep moving up.”

For Bencic, success is now defined by progress rather than trophies. After returning to the tour following maternity leave, she has repeatedly emphasized the importance of feeling competitive week in and week out. “It’s more important to feel like you’re playing good tennis and fighting your way through tournaments,” she explained. “I’m not really thinking about titles yet - just about continuing to grow.”

Unfortunately, her late withdrawal from Abu Dhabi due to illness has dealt a significant blow to those plans. The setback stings on multiple levels. Abu Dhabi is one of Bencic’s favorite stops on tour, where she owns a flawless 9–0 career record and has lifted the trophy twice. It is also a venue closely tied to some of the most emotional moments of her career.

More crucially, the rankings' impact is unavoidable. Having started the week ranked No. 9, Bencic was defending 500 points as the reigning champion. With those points now dropping off, she is set to fall out of the Top 10 when the updated rankings are released next Monday.

The timing is particularly cruel, given how recently Belinda Bencic worked her way back into the elite tier of women’s tennis. While the setback is a tough one, her broader outlook suggests she remains focused on the bigger picture - staying healthy, competing regularly, and rebuilding momentum as the season progresses.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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