WTA Doha 2026 Preview and Predictions: Rybakina Leads Stacked Field in Qatar

By Site Editor

09 Feb 2026

Site Editor 09 Feb 2026

Share this article

WTA Doha 2026 is the first WTA 1000 event this season
Elena Rybakina is the title favorite given her current form
Iga Swiatek, a past champion, remains a strong contendera

Elena Rybakina in action against Iga Swiatek in the quarter-final of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2025. (credit: Getty)

Tournament Details
Playing Conditions
Recent Champions in Doha
Top Seeds in Doha
Players to Watch
How to Watch WTA Doha 2026 Live (Free)

The first WTA 1000 event of the season begins in Doha, where the Qatar Open once again gathers one of the strongest fields outside the Grand Slams. Played on outdoor hard courts at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, the tournament serves as a major early benchmark on the Middle East swing. Nearly every top player is present this year, with Aryna Sabalenka the only major absentee, which sets up a wide-open and highly competitive week.

Since launching in 2001, the event has grown into one of the premier stops on the WTA calendar and regularly crowns elite champions. From Hingis and Sharapova to Swiatek and Gauff, Doha has consistently featured star-studded draws and high-quality finals. With strong ranking points on offer and early-season momentum at stake, this edition promises a high-level battle among the world’s best.

Tournament Details

Format

Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Draw Size: 56 Singles / 28
Doubles Venue: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar

Schedule

Dates: February 8–14, 2026

Main-draw matches in Doha are typically staged across afternoon and evening sessions. Play usually begins in the early afternoon local time, with the first matches getting underway around 1:00 PM, while the final matches of the day are scheduled for the evening under lights at roughly 8:30 PM. This format continues through the week, with both day and night sessions providing consistent outdoor hard-court conditions.

The combination of afternoon starts and night matches allows players to adjust to Doha’s warm conditions while maintaining a steady match rhythm across the tournament.

Playing Conditions

Doha is played on outdoor hard courts at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, with conditions that combine medium-fast pace and warm Middle East temperatures. The surface generally rewards aggressive baseline play while still allowing strong movers and defenders to engage in longer rallies.

Court Speed and Pace

The courts play in the medium-fast range and tend to favour players who can take the ball early and redirect pace. The bounce is lively enough to support aggressive returning and baseline exchanges rather than pure serve-dominated matches, and conditions usually remain consistent across day and night sessions.

Bounce and Grip

The hard courts offer a reliable medium-high bounce and solid footing, which helps players step into shots and construct points from the baseline. The surface holds up well throughout the week and plays slightly quicker in the evening when temperatures drop, making timing and clean ball-striking important.

Weather and Environment

February conditions in Doha are warm but manageable, with daytime temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s Celsius and cooler evenings under lights. Light winds can appear in afternoon sessions, but overall conditions are stable, allowing players to settle into rhythm as the week progresses.

Player Insights

Past champions have often pointed to the balance of speed and control in Doha’s conditions. Iga Swiatek has noted that the courts are fast enough for aggressive play while still offering grip for defense, and players frequently highlight how the night sessions provide particularly clean hitting conditions.

Recent Champions in Doha

With the event alternating between WTA 500 and WTA 1000 status in recent years, the winners’ list reflects both elite champions and breakthrough performances on the Middle East hard courts.

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Score
2025	Amanda Anisimova	Jelena Ostapenko	6-4, 6-3
2024	Iga Świątek	Elena Rybakina	7-6(8), 6-2
2023	Iga Świątek	Jessica Pegula	6-3, 6-0
2022	Iga Świątek	Anett Kontaveit	6-2, 6-0
2021	Petra Kvitová	Garbiñe Muguruza	6-2, 6-1
2020	Aryna Sabalenka	Petra Kvitová	6-3, 6-3

Top Seeds in Doha

With Aryna Sabalenka absent, the race for the first WTA 1000 title of the season looks especially open. Iga Swiatek headlines the field, but several top-10 contenders and in-form challengers sit close behind, creating a tightly packed top eight capable of producing a deep and competitive draw.

Seed	Player	Current Rank
1	Iga Swiatek	2
2	Elena Rybakina	3
3	Amanda Anisimova	4
4	Coco Gauff	5
5	Mirra Andreeva	7
6	Jasmine Paolini	8
7	Elina Svitolina	10
8	Ekaterina Alexandrova	11

Players to Watch

Elena Rybakina ★★★★★

Rybakina enters Doha as the standout favourite after an outstanding run of results across the past few months. She closed 2025 by winning the WTA Finals and began 2026 with the Australian Open title, underlining her dominance on hard courts. With confidence high and her serve and first-strike game perfectly suited to these conditions, she looks like the player everyone else will have to beat this week.

Amanda Anisimova ★★★★☆

Anisimova returns to Doha as the defending champion after one of the best seasons of her career in 2025. Winning this title last year was a major milestone and she will be highly motivated to produce another deep run. A slower start to 2026 has raised a few questions, but the familiarity with the courts and confidence from last year’s success make her a serious contender again.

Iga Swiatek ★★★☆☆

Swiatek’s hard-court results have dipped slightly compared to her peak years, but her record in Doha remains exceptional. She won this title three times in a row between 2022 and 2024 and has consistently looked comfortable in these conditions. With questions around form and confidence early in the season, this event presents a strong opportunity for her to reassert herself and remind the field of her level.

Coco Gauff ★★☆☆☆

Gauff arrives in Doha looking to reset after a below-par start to the 2026 season. The conditions here have often proved challenging for her in the past, particularly with the pace and weather factors, so she faces a significant task if she is to produce a deep run this week.

How to Watch WTA Doha 2026 Live (Free)

No cable? No problem. All you need is a betting account and a screen. WTA Doha is streamed live in HD by top bookmakers — no extra subscription needed.

🎬 Quick Setup in 30 Seconds:

1️⃣ Sign up at [bet365] or [Stake]

2️⃣ Deposit $1 or equivalent (no need to place a bet right away)

3️⃣ Go to Live Tennis → WTA Doha → Hit “Watch Live”

That’s it. You’re watching Main Court live from anywhere.

Verdict

WTA Doha

Elena Rybakina arrives as the leading title favourite given her dominant hard-court form and confidence after recent major wins, while defending champion Amanda Anisimova also looks well placed to mount another serious title run in Doha.

Iga Swiatek’s recent hard-court results have been less consistent, but her outstanding record at this venue means she remains a strong candidate to go deep into the latter stages if she finds rhythm early in the week.

Elena Rybakina

Tournament Winner

@320.00 - 3 Units

25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com

Amanda Anisimova

Tournament Winner

@600.00 - 2 Units

25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com

Iga Swiatek

Tournament Winner

@400.00 - 1 Unit

25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com