Dubai: Dedicated and enthusiastic tennis fans queued from 3am on Monday morning - including one who had come all the way from Abu Dhabi - to be among the first in line for much sought after Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships tickets.
The popular sporting event will be held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium from 15-27 February and will once again see a superb line-up of the world’s top players returning to Dubai.
The women’s tournament will welcome world number one Serena Williams as she seeks her first Dubai title, world number three Garbiñe Muguruza and world number four and 2012 Dubai champion Agnieszka Radwanska all battling it out for the coveted title.
The men’s field will be just as exciting with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer among those heading to Dubai. They will be joined by world number four Stan Wawrinka and world number six Tomas Berdych, as well as promising Australian youngster Nick Kyrgios.
As always, finals tickets were in high demand but organisers are keen to remind fans that all the top seeds will play in the early rounds with every day seeing world-class action on the courts and plenty of tickets available for the early matches.
Salah Tahlak, Tournament Director, said: “With another star-studded line-up, we can guarantee a wonderful fortnight of world-class tennis action for all to enjoy as well as a number of fun activities for the whole family in the village.”
Two of those who queued from the very early hours were delighted to get their tickets.
Tennis fan Loirena said: “I arrived here around 4am with my friends and we are thrilled to get our hands on these tickets. I have been to the tennis before and it’s one my favourite sporting events of the year, it’s great to see some of the big tennis stars here in Dubai.”
Fellow tennis fan Beverley added: “I travelled all the way from Abu Dhabi and arrived at 4am. I have been to the tennis on a number of occasions but this is my first time queuing for the tickets. The atmosphere here is great and everyone is in good spirits and very excited about the tennis.”
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships are held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Tickets for the event are on sale at the Box Office at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, which is open from 9am to 9pm daily and online at http://www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com/en/tickets.
