Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu, wildcard entries, will face a hard job as they prepare to return to play in the WTA 500 tournament in Abu Dhabi, which also features some of the biggest names in women's tennis.
Osaka appeared in good shape as she returned to the court after giving birth to her first child, and her loss in Melbourne came in a high-quality match against French great Caroline Garcia.
It has now been revealed that Osaka will not only play singles in Abu Dhabi, but will also link up with Ons Jabeur in what promises to be a fascinating doubles match.
Meanwhile, Raducanu, the 2021 US Open winner, had an encouraging return to WTA Tour competition in New Zealand last month, winning a round at the Australian Open after undergoing double wrist and ankle surgery the previous year.
Raducanu is now preparing to take the next step in her recovery, and the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open will undoubtedly be a difficult challenge.
The event's top seed will be world No. 3 Elena Rybakina, while two-time Wimbledon finalist Jabeur will also be seeking to kick off her 2024 season.
Greece's Maria Sakkari will be hoping to make progress in Abu Dhabi, where Czech Republic star Barbora Krejcikova, Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia, and former world No. 4 Caroline Garcia will also compete.
The prize money for this event has increased beginning in 2023, with the eventual victor receiving 500 WTA ranking points and $142,000, which is $20,000 more than Belinda Bencic earned when she won the event last year.