Tennis fans are in for a treat as the annual international tennis tournament, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship returns this month.
Held over two weeks at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, sports fans can see leading female tennis players compete in a WTA women’s tournament that has been running here for 19 years, along with the world's top men’s players compete in an ATP tournament that is now in its 27th year.
The first week, 17-23 February, is women’s week where some of the biggest names on the WTA world tour will take to the court to lift the coveted trophy. Previous winners of the women’s tournament include Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport, as well as both Serena and Venus Williams. This years line up is as strong as ever and includes nine out of the world's top 10 women’s tennis players. Taking part this year are Elina Svitolina who is defending the title she won last year and the year before, the current Wimbledon champion and world number six Angelique Kerber, world number two Petra Kvitova, world number three Simona Halep, and recently confirmed, the current world number one and winner of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Naomi Osaka.
Week two, 23 February-2 March, is men’s week and this year will see the return of Roger Federer, who will be looking to add to his tally of seven Dubai titles. Federer will line up against tennis stars such as Marin Cilic, Borna Coric, Karen Khachanov, world number seven Kei Nishikori, and the recent Australian Open semi-finalist, who knocked out Roger Federer in Melbourne, 20 year old Stefanos Tsitsipas. The winner will join a who’s who of previous champions, such as Novak Djokovic and Rafeal Nadal.
As well as the singes matches, there will be a doubles tournament for both the men and women.
It is not just the coveted title that is at stake, the winner of the women’s tournament will pick up a cheque for a cool Dhs 2.1million and the winner of the men’s tournament will pocket Dhs 1.9 million, from a total prize pot of over Dhs 20 million.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship is a great and entertaining opportunity for all the family to see the world's best tennis players battle it out.
When: 17 February-2 March
Where: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com