Kristina Mladenovic returns to WTA Masters in doubles

Kristina Mladenovic will return to the WTA Masters in doubles, ending a six-year absence from the season-ending event. The Frenchwoman has qualified with Chinese partner Hanyu Guo for the tournament in Indian Wells, scheduled from November 8 to 15, after their place among the eight leading pairs became mathematically secure.

The partnership has built its qualification on a strong 2026 campaign. Mladenovic and Guo won Wimbledon, giving the French player a seventh Grand Slam title and Guo her first, and also claimed the Auckland tournament at the start of the season. Their year has included quarter-final appearances at Indian Wells, Roland-Garros, Cincinnati and Wuhan, as well as a semi-final at Queen’s.

Mladenovic, 33, has made doubles her clear priority. She is ranked 802nd in singles and has won two of 13 matches in that discipline this year, including one victory in qualifying. Guo, 28, will make her Masters debut, while Mladenovic brings substantial experience to the pairing.

The French player won the competition in 2018 and 2019 alongside Timea Babos and reached the semi-finals in 2016 with Caroline Garcia. The remaining three places in this year’s field are still to be decided, while Mladenovic and Guo are due to play the Ningbo tournament this week.