Dubai Named ATP World Tour 500 Tournament Of The Year

© Barclays Dubai Tennis ChampionshipsBrad Drewett, ATP CEO - International Group, flew in especially to present Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free, with the prestigious award.

The Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships is celebrating another success after being named the 2009 ATP World Tour 500 Tournament of the Year. Brad Drewett, CEO, ATP International Group, presented Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free, with the prestigious award.

It is the tournament’s 14th ATP award since 1993 – the tournament’s inaugural year - and the sixth time that the Dubai men’s week has won the prestigious ‘Tournament of the Year’ award.

“The Barclays Dubai Tennis Championship has proven over the last 18 years to be one of the best events on the ATP World Tour having won this award numerous times,” said Brad Drewett, CEO, ATP International Group. “Its ongoing popularity is a testament to the hard-working tournament staff who have created a successful tournament that the best players in the world love to participate in,” he added.

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“On behalf of the ATP, I congratulate Dubai on winning the ATP World Tour 500 Tournament of the Year and wish them continued success for the future”.
 
The award is yet another on an increasingly clustered mantlepiece for the Championships, which began life as the ATP Dubai Men’s Open back in 1993 when Karel Novacek was crowned the first winner.

Colm Mcloughlin, who was instrumental in bringing tennis to Dubai, was delighted to receive the award, and receive it on such a timely occasion.

"As the owners and organisers of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, we are delighted to have won the ATP World Tour 500 Tournament of the Year award,” said McLoughlin. “The ATP 500 events include some of the best tournaments in the world, so it is gratifying to know that all of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes has been acknowledged by the ATP players and officials.

“This year we celebrate the 18th anniversary of the ATP week and this award is especially appreciated as we mark the tournament's 'coming of age'."

Play at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, which is 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, featured the WTA final between Venus Williams and Victoria Azarenka on February 20th, and continues this week with the ATP World Tour 500 tournament.