The 23rd edition of the Qatar Open is up and running at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. However, some top players are missing from this iconic WTA tournament this year. The 2025 AO champion Madison Keys, and her compatriot, Danielle Collins have withdrawn due to injuries. However, the top 3 stars will be seen in action in Doha. While the three-time champion Iga Swiatek is keen to extend her title-winning streak, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka will be looking forward to stopping the Pole’s dominance. What’s the prize money for this mega event, though?

Last year, Iga Swiatek became the first player to win three straight titles in Doha. The Polish star is only the second player since 2000 to win a WTA tournament for four consecutive years after Caroline Wozniacki’s heroics in New Haven (2008-2011). On the other hand, the current world number one, Aryna Sabalenka to looking forward to clinching a Middle East swing title for the third time in her career. Sabalenka previously won titles in Doha (2020) and Abu Dhabi (2021).

The American tennis star Coco Gauff is also keen to clinch the third WTA 1000 of her career. So, there’s a lot at stake at the moment for some of the biggest stars in women’s tennis! Talking about stakes, how much money and points will these players earn from this mega event? Well, over $3.6 million of total prize money is at stake! Let’s take a look at the prize money breakdown:

American fans can watch Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek live on Tennis Channel. But what does the road to glory look like for these three stars?

Aryna Sabalenka looks quite optimistic ahead of her Middle East swing

It’s not a coincidence that last year, the top 3-ranked players won the most number of WTA 1000 matches: Iga Swiatek (30), Aryna Sabalenka (28), and Coco Gauff (24). Iga Swiatek is all set to face Greece’s Maria Sakkari in the R32 of the 2025 Qatar Open, while Coco Gauff will start her campaign against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. The American has a 3-1 lead over Kostyuk in the H2H record. It’ll be interesting to see if she can extend that margin with a win on Tuesday.

On the other hand, Aryna Sabalenka is back competing at the Qatar Open for the first time since 2022. Who’s she facing at the first WTA 1000 even of the 2025 season? Well, following a first-round bye, the top seed will start her campaign against Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova. The Russian recently outclassed the British star, Emma Raducanu in the first round (R64) by 6-3,7-5. She has won 3 out of her 7 matches against the Belarusian. So, we can definitely expect some fireworks in this epic battle!

Aryna Sabalenka is entering this contest following her defeat to America’s Madison Keys in the final of the 2025 AO. Talking about that disappointing loss during a recent press conference in Doha, Sabalenka said, “This one was the toughest one. I think for a week I was still thinking about that match.” However, she assured her fans that she has now “fully recovered” after that tough battle against Keys.

Following the Qatar Open, the players will move to Dubai next. How does Aryna Sabalenka look at her chances in the Middle East swing? “I believe I’ll just take these two tournaments as a preparation for the Sunshine one, and I’ll try to build my tennis, and probably take my tennis to the next level in these two events,” said the World No. 1.

Sabalenka has a chance to further enhance her lead over Iga Swiatek and others in terms of the ranking points. Having lost 700 ranking points following her defeat at the AO final, she now holds 8956 points which is just 186 ahead of Swiatek. Do you think Aryna Sabalenka can increase the gap with Iga Swiatek with a title triumph in Doha? Share your thoughts in the comments below.