Three former men’s champions return to Dubai Tennis Championships

Dubai: Three former champions will bid to regain the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title when they return for the 33rd edition, set to get under way in just 10 days. Defending title-holder Ugo Humbert will be joined by the winners of the previous three editions: Daniil Medvedev (2023) and Andrey Rublev (2022).

The Championships’ on-court action begins on February 16 with the 25th anniversary of Dubai’s weeklong WTA 1000 tournament, followed by the ATP 500 event starting on February 24. Providing a fortnight of world-class competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Al Garhoud, the Championships promise much excitement.

Medvedev headlines strong ATP field

Medvedev, currently ranked No 7, is a two-time Grand Slam champion and the top seed in a packed field. Also in the mix are 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic and two-time Dubai finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas. Matteo Berrettini, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2021, adds further strength to the draw.

Women’s event marks 25th anniversary

This year’s women’s event is particularly special, marking the 25th anniversary of the WTA tournament in Dubai, a major milestone in the region’s tennis evolution. Defending champion Jasmine Paolini returns to defend her title but will face stiff competition from a star-studded field that includes nine of the top 10, including world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. With the majority of the top 40-ranked players confirming their participation, the tournament promises to be the most competitive draw in the event’s history.

Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Chairman of the tournament’s Organising Committee, said: “Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is well positioned as one of the premier stops on both the WTA and ATP tours. Every year, we witness incredible competition, and Dubai continues to be a destination that players and fans look forward to. This year is no different, and it’s always fascinating to see former champions returning to the Championships. We look forward to one of the best editions of the event yet.”

Salah Tahlak, Tournament Director and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, added: “Having three champions return to this year’s ATP event makes it even more exciting, and we’ve worked hard to ensure this year’s edition lives up to its legacy of more than three decades. With nine of the women’s top-10 ranked players confirmed, the WTA line-up speaks for itself. It’s going to be an unforgettable couple of weeks.”