Spectator interest key to innovations, says Horan

Dubai: The annual Dubai Tennis Championships has evolved into one of the most prestigious tennis competitions in the world.

Fifteen years after the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open started at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, this tournament has been one of the guiding lights for events on the ATP and WTA Tours.

"Two years ago we came up with the concept of equal prize money for both the men's and women's tournaments," noted George Horan, Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, at the official draw held at the Dubai Tennis Stadium late on Saturday.

And last year, Dubai Duty Free - owners and organisers of this competition - implemented the idea of hiking the total prize money for both events to $3 million (Dh11 million)

One of the reasons

"We have seen tremendous interest from the people in these championships and that is one of the reasons we have kept on innovating, keeping the players and spectators in mind," Horan stated.

"We have adopted some technical changes, such as redesigning the website in an attempt to bring the spectators closer to the players," Horan said. "We will be introducing the Hawk Eye line calling technology for the first time in Dubai this year," he added.

The interest in the tournament has peaked this year resulting in tickets for the semifinals and finals of both the men's and women's competitions being sold out before the start of the event.

"The players have been supportive of what we have been doing and that is one of the reasons they all want to come to play in Dubai," Horan commented.