Abu Dhabi: Former Wimbledon champions Jana Novotna and Marion Bartoli have been added to the line-up at an Abu Dhabi tennis exhibition event due to take place next month.

The announcement follows the news that Shaikha Shaikha Bint Mohammad Bin Khalid Al Nahyan has given her patronage to the inaugural edition of Fortnum & Mason present Tennis at The Palace, which will be held at the Emirates Palace Hotel between March 12 and 14.

Bartoli and Novotna, who won Wimbledon in 2013 and 1998 respectively, will join former male tennis stars Tim Henman, Pat Cash, Richard Krajicek and Younus Al Aynaoui at the tournament.

Shaikha Shaikha is one of the leading supporters of tennis in the UAE and hosts the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Tennis Tournament for Emirati women.

Vicky Collins, tournament director, said: “We are delighted and very honoured that Fortnum & Mason presents Tennis at The Palace will be held under the patronage of Shaikha Shaikha. We share a passion for tennis and this event will showcase the social side of tennis.

“We have an amazing line-up of players and fantastic hospitality to offer our sponsors and guests who attend. It was also very important to me that we provide one evening that is just catering for women in the region, hence the announcement of our exclusive ladies’ evening.”

Shaikha Shaikha added: “I am very much looking forward to the arrival of this event, as tennis is a beautiful game and it is a sport that anyone can take up at any age. It is growing in popularity in the UAE, with an increasing number of initiatives that promote women’s participation in the sport.”

The ladies’ evening, which will open the event on March 12, has been described by organisers as ‘an evening of tennis and glamour’, during which women are invited to dress up to watch the tennis while enjoying dinner provided by Emirates Palace.

There will also be the opportunity to shop in the boutiques of sponsors such as Fortnum & Mason, Avenue at Etihad Towers and many other British and international brands.

Matches will be two-set singles and doubles affairs and will be played on a purpose-built grass court set to be erected in the lavish surroundings of the iconic hotel.

For more information and ticket packages, visit www.tennisatthepalace.ae.