Dubai: One of the most charismatic players in the world will be a strong contender for the 20th Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title when play gets under way on February 27 at the Dubai Tennis Stadium.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — nicknamed Ali because of his resemblance to boxer Mohammed Ali — is at a career-high six in the world after a stunning 2011 season that saw him knock six-time champion Roger Federer out of Wimbledon in a five-set thriller.
"Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's win over Roger Federer at Wimbledon last year is a match that few of us will forget," said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman of Tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free.
"He has long been one of the most exciting players in the world to watch, and we eagerly look forward to seeing him perform once again in Dubai."
If six-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one Boris Becker's opinion is anything to go by, then Tsonga is set to be the next big thing.
While the triad of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer seem to have a stranglehold on Grand Slams and the top three positions, with Andy Murray a seemingly permanent fixture at number 4, it is Tsonga with his relaxed attitude who may be the biggest threat to the status quo.
As Becker observes: "So often these guys get close to the semis then see a guy called Federer or Djokovic on the other side and they freeze, so I think it's not a question of skill, it's a question of mentality."
"I like to think Tsonga has it because he has a big powerful game and his personality is different than others. He's just maturing into the best age for tennis and he's got the potential, no doubt about it."
Support urged
Tsonga has started this year in great form, earning his eighth career title in Doha and reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Tournament Director Salah Tahlak is urging the crowds to get behind the Frenchman when he plays in Dubai. "Tsonga attributes his outstanding performances at Wimbledon to great crowd support, so I encourage the fans in Dubai to get right behind him and see if he can make it a Middle Eastern Doha-Dubai double."
Two weeks of top-class tennis action in Dubai begins on February 20 with the WTA event, which features eight of the world's top 10, including the newly-crowned world number one and Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, French Open winner Li Na, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and US Open winner Samantha Stosur, as well as Dubai defending champion Caroline Wozniacki. Play continues with the ATP Tour event on February 27, which also includes eight of the top 10.
The field is headed by world number one and Dubai defending champion Novak Djokovic, as well as four-time Dubai winner Federer and Murray.
Tickets available
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and 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 available from the Box Office at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud, which opens from 9am to 9pm daily.
Grandstand tickets can also be bought online at www.timeouttickets.com. For more information visit www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com or call 04 358 9797.
