Teenage sensation Victoria Mboko withdraws from 2026 Abu Dhabi Open

Saturday, 31 January 2026 at 18:48

byJordan Reynolds

Victoria Mboko will take more time off after the 2026 Australian Open than was first expected after withdrawing from the 2026 Abu Dhabi Open.

Mboko's progress is closely followed by many tennis fans since the 19-year-old's stunning run to the 2025 Canadian Open title. Winning her maiden WTA 1000 title at her home event was remarkable and among the most memorable moments from last season.

Mboko followed that success by winning the 2025 Hong Kong Open a few months later. Her impressive run there included triumphs against fellow young star Alexandra Eala, compatriot Leylah Fernandez, and Anna Kalinskaya.

Rather than slowing down after that rise to stardom, Mboko reached another final at the 2026 Adelaide International. She was comprehensively beaten by Mirra Andreeva after suffering from an illness throughout that contest.

The 19-year-old then performed well at the 2026 Australian Open. She overcame Emerson Jones, Caty McNally, and Clara Tauson before being defeated by the eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16.

Throughout the season's opening Grand Slam, Mboko played with strapping on her right leg. While it did not stop her from competing well in Melbourne, the Canadian said during the tournament that she had a hyperextension at the Adelaide International and was taking precautions.

"It's been a couple of long weeks with a lot of matches, so it's normal that as the matches progress, you start feeling something. I'm taking precautions right now and making sure everything is okay when I play my matches, that's what it's for. I had a hyperextension in Adelaide. It's not a recurring injury or anything like that. It was just a minor setback."

Mboko undoubtedly had the injury assessed further after being eliminated by Sabalenka. Although the official reason for her withdrawal from the Abu Dhabi Open has not been confirmed, that physical problem is the most likely explanation.

The good news for Mboko and her fans is that she expects to be ready for the 2026 Qatar Open in Doha, scheduled from December 8th to 14th. That indicates the problem has not become severe, and the Canadian wants to ensure she is fully fit for the most significant tournaments.

Naomi Osaka withdrew from the 2026 Qatar Open

The entry list for the 2026 Qatar Open was weakened when Naomi Osaka announced she would not play in the event. Last year's US Open semifinalist has not recovered from an abdominal injury that forced her to retire before the 2026 Australian Open third round.

Osaka's withdrawal from the Australian Open would have caused disappointment regardless, but it was particularly acute since it ended the possibility of a fourth-round encounter with Iga Swiatek.

The former WTA world No. 1 had made headlines during and after her second round match when Sorana Cirstea was infuriated by Osaka hyping herself up between the Romanian's first and second serve.

Osaka will try to return for the 2026 Dubai Championships, which begins immediately after the Qatar Open. After that tournament, players will switch their attentions to North America ahead of the 2026 Indian Wells Open.