Dubai
Dedicated tennis fans braved the wet weather on Monday to be first in line for tickets to this year’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, to be held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium from February 15-28.
With a superb line-up of the world’s top players heading to Dubai, enthusiastic fans queued from the very early hours to get their hands on the hottest tickets in town.
The men’s field will be led this year by world number one Novak Djokovic, defending champion Roger Federer and previous finalists Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych, while the women’s will feature a superb line-up of eight of the top 10 players in the world competing for one of the most prestigious titles on the world circuit.
World number one Serena Williams will be seeking her first Dubai title, while her sister and defending champion Venus Williams will be aiming to equal Justine Henin’s record of four Dubai crowns.
While finals tickets were in high demand today, organisers are keen to remind people that all the top seeds will play in the early rounds so every day of the two-week event promises great action on court, and plenty of tickets for those matches are still available.
“With such strong fields fans are guaranteed top tennis action every day of the tournament.” said Tournament Director, Salah Tahlak. “No player will have an easy run to the title and tennis fans are in for a wonderful fortnight of world class competition.”
Two of those who queued from the very early hours were delighted to get their tickets. “I have been here since 4 am. I am so happy to get my tickets, I am a big Roger Federer fan and it will be fantastic to see him, the crowd loves him here,” said one fan, Ryan. “The wait has been worthwhile, and it’s been well organized again this year. I love tennis and I love the cosmopolitan crowd the tennis attracts, it’s like the world comes together here and that’s fantastic.”
Another fan Connie, who arrived even earlier, said: “I’ve been here since 3.40am, I usually support Djokovic but since I’m Scottish and Andy Murray just announced he’s coming I’d really like him to win”.
Tickets for the event are on sale 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 http://www.timeouttickets.com/. For further information about tickets, prices and the tournament visit www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com.
