Dubai: Juan Martin del Potro is hoping to do at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships what he once did at the US Open.
When the Grand Slams were being dominated by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in 2009, the Argentine beat them both in New York to break their monopoly and win his first Grand Slam title.
Now, with Federer and Novak Djokovic dominating here in Dubai by claiming the title in nine of the last 11 years, Del Potro is ready to produce a repeat of 2009 and claim the title on March 1.
This is his third straight year competing in Dubai, and his two previous visits saw him reach the semi-finals before losing to Federer in 2012 and Djokovic in 2013.
With victories last season against Djokovic at Indian Wells and Federer in the Basel final, as well as Nadal in Shanghai, Del Potro knows he has what it takes to beat the best in the world and add a Dubai triumph to his already impressive portfolio.
Del Potro ended 2013 with four titles and began the 2014 season by beating defending champion Bernard Tomic to lift the Sydney trophy, and he will be hungry to rebound after his shock second round defeat in Melbourne against Roberto Bautista Agut.
“I think I did a great season,” Del Potro said of his 2013 campaign. “I finished in the top five, which is really good to see my ranking and see my name in the top positions.
“It was my goal, trying to play in the same level as the top guys and I beat all of them. I am the only player who beat all of them in this season, which means something for me.”
Meanwhile, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free, said: “Juan Martin del Potro often gets overlooked when people talk of the great champions over the last decade, but he has proved over and over again that he can defeat anyone who crosses his path.
“Indeed, with not only the US Open to his name but 17 other titles as well as his two semi-finals here in Dubai, we can expect him to offer the strongest possible challenge once again.”
Tournament Director Salah Tahlak added: “We are looking forward to seeing Del Potro in action again, he is a serious threat for the title. Although he has demonstrated that he can beat all-comers, he will still face a strong challenge from a field that includes not only Djokovic and Federer, but Australian Open semi-finalist Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, so we are in for some exciting tennis.”
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships begin with the WTA event, which takes place between February 17 and 22 and features six of the world’s top 10, including defending champion Petra Kvitova and former winners Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska. The ATP event then runs from February 24 to March 1.
The 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 are on sale from the Dubai Tennis Stadium in Garhoud, which is open from 9am to 9pm daily. Grandstand ticket prices range from Dh75 for opening rounds to Dh500 for finals, with season tickets also available.
For more information visit www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com or call +971 4 4172415.
