Sport
Tennis in the Middle East means world-class tournaments in the warm sunshine of February, star exhibitions in Riyadh and a padel craze that has filled every Gulf city with glass courts. Here is where to watch, where to play and how to plan your trip.
Updated
At a glance
When North America and Europe are cold, the world's best players head to the Gulf. Dubai and Doha have hosted tour events for more than three decades, and Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray all lifted titles here. Saudi Arabia has added star exhibitions, and in 2025 the ATP announced a new Masters 1000 tournament in the Kingdom from 2028, which would make it one of the top tier of men's events.
The region's other great racket story is padel, the doubles game played on small glass-walled courts. Courts have spread through hotels, malls and rooftops from Dubai to Kuwait, and the international Premier Padel tour now holds several events in the region each year. It is easy to learn, sociable and a fine way to spend an evening on holiday.
The headline events of the regional tennis and padel calendar.
A two-week festival every February: a WTA 1000 for women followed by an ATP 500 for men. The intimate stadium in Garhoud puts fans close to the court, and the evening sessions are a Dubai social highlight.
Official site ↗Upgraded to ATP 500 status in 2025, Doha's men's event is played in February at a complex with 24 hard courts in West Bay. Andrey Rublev won the 2025 title.
The women's tournament in Doha, also in February, is one of the oldest stops of the WTA's Middle East swing. It pairs well with a Doha stopover on the way to Asia.
A six-player exhibition with the biggest names in the men's game, part of Riyadh Season and streamed worldwide on Netflix. The 2026 edition is scheduled for December 27 to 30; check the official site for the final line-up.
Official site ↗Announced in 2025 as a new hard-court Masters event held at the start of the season from 2028. Reports link it to a planned national tennis center at Qiddiya.
A WTA event in Abu Dhabi that has been part of the early-season swing in recent years. Check the WTA calendar for current dates.
A Premier Padel P1 event held in February during Riyadh Season, known for record crowds. A good taste of the sport at its highest level.
Official site ↗One of the four Major tournaments on the Premier Padel tour, the sport's equivalent of a Grand Slam; check the tour calendar for its next dates. Qatar Airways is the tour's title partner.
Official site ↗Raised to Major status for the 2026 season, it runs from October 26 to 31, 2026. A strong reason to discover Kuwait City.
Official site ↗A Premier Padel stop in Dubai in the autumn part of the season. Confirm dates on the official tour calendar.
Official site ↗A P2 event near the Pyramids that has drawn record crowds. Combine it with a stay at one of Cairo's luxury hotels.
Official site ↗Typical months; dates shift each year.
| Event | City | Typical month |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh Season P1 (padel) | Riyadh | February |
| Qatar ExxonMobil Open and Qatar TotalEnergies Open | Doha | February |
| Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships | Dubai | February |
| Qatar Major (padel) | Doha | To be confirmed |
| Six Kings Slam | Riyadh | October (December in 2026) |
| Kuwait Premier Padel | Kuwait City | October (2026) |
Most five-star resorts in the Gulf have floodlit hard courts and many now have padel, so you can play in the cool of the evening. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have dozens of padel clubs, often bookable by app for about US$40 to US$80 per court per hour, with rackets for rent. Coaching for beginners is widely available. Browse the best luxury resorts for properties with strong tennis programs.
For a tennis trip in February, base yourself near the venue: Garhoud and Downtown in Dubai, or West Bay in Doha. See our guides to Dubai's luxury hotels and Doha's luxury hotels. Residential communities with clubs and courts are a growing selling point in the property market, covered in developments and branded residences.
Every February. The women's WTA 1000 week comes first, followed by the men's ATP 500 week. In 2026 the finals were on February 21 and 28.
Tickets are sold through Webook, the official Riyadh Season platform, and the matches stream live on Netflix.
A doubles racket sport played on a small court with glass walls that can be used, like squash. It uses a solid paddle and a low-pressure tennis ball, and most people can rally within an hour.
From October to April, evenings are pleasant. In summer, play early in the morning, late at night or on indoor courts.
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