Dubai: With the action getting underway in just two weeks in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, preparations are in full swing for another exhilarating fortnight of excitement and action both on and off the court.
With the world’s best players in action on court and a full schedule of entertainment on offer in the Tennis Village, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Garhoud will be the place to be in from February 17 to March 1.
Tournament Director Salah Tahlak is delighted with the line-up of players competing in Dubai this year. “We have again attracted some amazing players, with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Petra Kvitova and Agnieszka Radwanska guaranteeing a very tough competition,” he said.
“With six of the top 10 women and five of the top 10 men competing here, the field is very strong and tennis fans will be able to see some fantastic tennis right from the first day of the tournament.
“We also have a full schedule of activities and entertainment happening in the tennis village, with the Kids’ Days proving more popular than ever, and the Ladies’ Day and Fantastic Fan Day sure to attract the best outfits and costumes.
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman of tournament owners and organisers, said: “We are looking forward to another exciting tournament this year. We are delighted to be welcoming the top players back again, and with so much happening in the village over the fortnight the atmosphere this year will be wonderful”.
While the men’s finals tickets again proved to be hot property, several lucky fans who enter competitions at the stadium on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each week will win coveted finals tickets by taking selfies with their tickets and posting them on the tournament’s Instagram or Twitter pages. Fans are encouraged to check the tournament website and Facebook page for all the details on ticket competitions to be amongst the lucky winners.
The action kicks off on February 17 (Monday) with the WTA women’s tournament, with defending champion Kvitova facing a tough challenge to retain her crown. Former winners Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki are once again among the top contenders for the title, along with 2013 runner-up Sara Errani, former world number one and Dubai finalist Jelena Jankovic, 2013 Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki, two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, 2011 US Open winner Samantha Stosur and former number one and French Open champion Ana Ivanovic.
