Djokovic And Federer To Battle It Out In Dubai

© Dubai Duty Free Tennis ChampionshipsFederer will be bidding to lift his fifth Dubai trophy.

Novak Djokovic will face a titanic battle to retain his title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships next month. The world number one faces a formidable challenge from a field that includes four-time winner Roger Federer, talented Scot Andy Murray and Wimbledon semi-finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as he attempts to become the first player in the 20-year history of the  tournament to win four consecutive titles.

Federer too will be seeking to make history in Dubai by becoming the first player to lift the trophy five times. While he did not win his four previous titles in consecutive years, the 16 time Grand Slam winner will be keen to cement his place in tournament records with another victory in Dubai, saying “Over the years it has become one of the most prestigious tournaments to win”.

With seven of the world’s top ten men converging on Dubai for the hotly contested title, the fans are in for a treat. “Once again we are thrilled to announce such an incredible line up of stars coming to the Tournament”, said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free. “This guarantees that no matter which day or session you attend you can be assured of  seeing world class tennis action in both the men’s and women’s tournaments” he added.

Novak Djokovic was by far the most dominant player in 2011 and enjoyed one of the best seasons of any player in the Open Era as he swept to three Grand Slam titles, winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, and he became the first player to win five Masters Series events in one year.

Now he is looking forward to returning to Dubai and is ready to take on all-comers. “Dubai is always a great tournament,” he said. “A lot of the players have the same opinion as me. The site is great and I really look forward to coming there.”

Other top contenders for the title include 2010 Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych, American number one Mardy Fish and 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro. Along with number 9 ranked Janko Tipsarevic who is coming off his best ever season in 2011, there will be no easy path to the finals for any of the players, guaranteeing a feast of world class tennis.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and 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. Play begins on 20th February with the WTA Tour event that includes eight of the world’s top 10 women, and continues with the ATP tournament from February 27th – 3 March.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 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.

Tickets for the event are available from the Box Office at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud which opens from 9am to 9pm daily. Grandstand tickets can also be bought online at  http://www.timeouttickets.com/. For further information about tickets phone the call centre on +971 4 358 9797.