OUT & ABOUT

Dubai: It seems like just the other day that Dubai witnessed Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska win the Dubai Duty Free women’s crown for the first time in 2012, while long-time resident Roger Federer helped himself to a historic fifth title in the men’s competition.

All of a sudden we have yet another edition of this popular tournament upon us over the next two weeks, when residents of the UAE and beyond suddenly make a beeline for Dubai Tennis Stadium to see some of the best players on the planet.

And organisers and owners Dubai Duty Free have never disappointed in attracting some of the best names in the game.

This time around, we have the likes of the world’s top two players in the men’s: one to defend his title (Federer) and possibly pick up a historic sixth title, and the other (Novak Djokovic) aiming for a fourth crown here.

The only one quarter-finalist missing from last year is Andy Murray, a popular figure with the spectators, who has opted to concentrate on the hard-court season in North America rather than make the trip to Dubai.

And while it would have been the ultimate pleasure to see Rafael Nadal or for that matter the ageing Andy Roddick back in Dubai, I think this tournament will provide some engrossing action as normal. I am sure the temperamental Bernard Tomic will do much to make the Australians happy, while the Russians may go away happy to see two of their experienced players — Mikhail Youzhny and Nikolay Davydenko — fare well. And to make things even more interesting, spectators will be able to see Czech player Lukas Rosol, who shocked Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon last year, although he has done very little to show his true potential since then.

Meanwhile, the women’s event has attracted eight of the world’s top 10 players — the popular Li Na of China was a late exclusion due to a nagging ankle injury picked up at the Australian Open — and the field is studded with the likes of Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska.

But I am sure the Dubai audience would have loved to see Melbourne-born Briton Laura Robson renew her rivalry with her fellow rising star, the American Sloane Stephens, the only player missing from the top-20 list here.

However, despite that, it’s an incredible women’s field that will open the two-week extravaganza. So don’t be surprised seeing one of the top 10 players or even former world No 1s square up on one of the side courts in the qualifying rounds of this popular tournament on Saturday and Sunday.

If you’re not too bothered about the tennis, then at least come out and take in the lovely weather. Along the way you may end up enjoying both.