An exceptional line-up of players will head to Dubai next month for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the UAE sporting calendar, and one of the most prestigious tournaments on the international tennis circuit.

The Championships, held under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will take place from February 15 to 27 and will attract thousands of local and international fans for two weeks of spectacular tennis action.

Women’s world number one, and arguably one of the greatest players of all time Serena Williams heads the WTA line-up, which features five of the top 10 women’s players and eight of the top 20 players in the world. Along with Williams, the line-up includes world number three Garbiñe Muguruza and world number five and 2012 Dubai champion Agnieszka Radwanska.  Lucie Safarova, Angelique Kerber and former world number ones Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki are also heading to Dubai.

The 2015 Dubai Duty Free WTA tournament was recently named the ‘Premier 5 Tournament of the Year’ at the annual WTA Year-End Awards in December. Winning the award, which is voted on by the players, is testament to the growth of the tournament which is now one of the most popular on the WTA tour and regularly attracts the best players in the world.

The ATP men’s entry list will be finalised in the coming days, but organisers are expecting seven-time winner and reigning champion Roger Federer to be back to defend his title, as well as world number one and four-time Dubai champion Novak Djokovic.

Commenting on this year’s event, Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman of Dubai Duty Free, the tournament owners and organisers, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the world’s best players back to Dubai. This year is shaping up to be another hotly contested tournament and we are looking forward to another great fortnight of superb tennis action”.

With the tournament kicking off in just five weeks, organisers are making sure that all is in place for a record-breaking event which will see non-stop action and excitement both on and off the court for the entire fortnight.

Tournament director, Salah Tahlak said: “This tournament is eagerly awaited by players and fans alike and the line-up this year is fantastic. We look forward to welcoming spectators for this year’s event and enjoying another thrilling tournament.”

Staged at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Garhoud, the action will commence on February 15 with the WTA event, followed on February 22 with the ATP tournament offering a total prize money of $4.5 million.

Tickets for the event will go on sale on January 18  from the Box Office at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, which is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily and online at https://www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com/en/tickets. – TradeArabia News Service