Her Highness Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presided over the trophy ceremony at the 26th WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, crowning the champions on the iconic Centre Court of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 21, 2026.
Jessica Pegula Claims 10th Career Title
American Jessica Pegula defeated Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 in the women's singles final to win the prestigious Dubai title. The match lasted one hour and 12 minutes, with Pegula in commanding form throughout.
The victory marked Pegula's 10th career WTA singles title and her fourth WTA 1000 crown, following previous victories in Guadalajara (2022), Montreal (2023), and Toronto (2024). The 31-year-old American entered 2026 with a 13-2 record and had reached seven consecutive tournament semifinals or better.
"It's a great birthday present for me," Pegula said after lifting the trophy. "I get to celebrate by flying back home in a few hours. Super happy to go home with the trophy. It was a great week."
A Week of World-Class Women's Tennis
The awards presentation marked the conclusion of a week of elite competition in Dubai. The tournament featured 16 of the top 20 players and 35 of the top 40 in the global rankings, underlining the championship's continued status as a key stop on the international tennis calendar.
Svitolina reached the final despite entering the match visibly fatigued, having spent over seven hours on court in earlier rounds. Her semifinal against Coco Gauff lasted three hours and three minutes and featured a 28-point tiebreaker — the longest of the 2026 season. Despite the final defeat, Svitolina achieved a significant milestone: she returned to the world's top 10, now ranked No. 9, and reached her first WTA 1000 final as a mother.
Dubai Reinforces Its Place on the Global Sports Stage
The trophy ceremony on Centre Court provided a fitting finale, celebrating both the champions and the depth of talent that defined the 2026 edition. Sheikha Latifa's presence underscored the UAE's commitment to hosting world-class sporting events.
The WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships continues to strengthen Dubai's position as a premier destination for international sport, attracting top-ranked players and global audiences year after year.
