The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships’ 33rd edition will start in about ten days with four past champions returning to compete in the emirate. The defending champion Ugo Humbert will compete alongside winners from the previous three years Daniil Medvedev from 2023, Andrey Rublev from 2022 and Aslan Karatsev from 2021.
On-court play for the Championships will start February 16 at Dubai’s 25th WTA 1000 tournament followed by the ATP 500 event which starts February 24.
The Championships promise great potential through two weeks of elite-level tennis competition at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Al Garhoud.
As the seventh-ranked player in tennis, Medvedev won the US Open in 2021 and stands as the top seed in this densely populated tournament field. The lineup includes 2014 US Open champion Marin Čilić and two-time Dubai finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas. The draw becomes stronger with the addition of Matteo Berrettini who reached the Wimbledon final in 2021.
The current women’s tournament stands out as it commemorates the 25th anniversary of the WTA competition in Dubai which signifies a major turning point in regional tennis development. Defending champion Jasmine Paolini will face tough competition from a field filled with stars featuring nine of the top 10 players including World No1 Aryna Sabalenka as she seeks to defend her title. The draw will become the most competitive in the event’s history since almost all top 40 players confirmed participation even though injuries may cause some to drop out before the tournament starts.
Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Chairman of the tournament’s Organising Committee, said: The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships occupies a leading position among the top events on both the WTA and ATP tours. The competition remains extraordinary each season while Dubai remains a favored stop for both athletes and supporters. As in previous years, watching past champions come back to the Championships continues to be a compelling sight. Our team eagerly anticipates what promises to be the finest edition of the event to date.
Salah Tahlak, Tournament Director and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, added: The return of four champions to this year’s ATP tournament raises excitement levels while our team has worked hard to maintain the legacy of over thirty years for this year’s event. The WTA event features nine top-10 ranked women players already confirmed. Everyone is set to experience a memorable two-week period.
As the event approaches fans should act quickly to buy tickets because Grandstand seating begins at only Dh55. Fans can purchase tickets online via dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com and ticketmaster.ae or visit the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium Box Office which operates daily from 9 am to 9 pm.