Stage set for Dubai Tennis Championships
- Organisers look forward to memorable two weeks ahead as the world’s top players line up for Dubai Duty Free Women’s and Men’s Opens -
Dubai, UAE, February 15th, 2007: Dubai is set to take centre stage in world sport once again as final preparations for the Dubai Tennis Championships shift into top gear.
Organisers of the award-winning event are adding the finishing touches to the Dubai Tennis Stadium while the new and improved tennis village is ready to welcome thousands of tennis fans from around the world.
Tickets for the quarters, semis, and finals of the Dubai Duty Free Men’s and Women’s Opens sold out weeks ago, while prime seating was snapped up within a record 36 hours of going on sale.
Tennis fans will once again see the world’s leading players when play gets underway at the Dubai Tennis Stadium this Monday (February 19th).
Headlining the Women’s Open will be world number two Justin Henin, a three-time winner of the Dubai event and defending champion.
Recent Tokyo winner and 2001 Dubai title-holder Martina Hingis will also be among the frontrunners as will Russian powerhouse and world number five Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Tournament organisers today, however, have confirmed the withdrawal of last year’s finalist Maria Sharapova who has withdrawn due to a hamstring injury which she suffered during the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
Sharapova said: “I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championships because the hamstring that I injured in Tokyo is not yet healed. I tried to do everything possible to be in condition to play in Dubai as it is one of my favorite tournaments, but unfortunately I’m not ready. I’m looking forward to continuing to recover as quickly as possible so that I can get back on the court competing.”
Dubai Duty Free also confirmed that Serena Williams, who had been offered a Wild Card entry into the main draw, is unable to play due to an ongoing bout of flu that saw her withdraw from this week’s Bangalore Open.
“I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championships, which I was really excited to play,” Williams said.
The showpiece Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open will begin on Monday, February 26th, when Spain’s Rafael Nadal begins his title defence alongside three-time former champion and world number one Roger Federer.
Also confirmed for the men’s event is world number three Nikolay Davydenko, Spain’s Tommy Robredo, and German Tommy Haas. In total, there will be five of the world’s top 10 players competing in Dubai.
“We have a wonderful line-up of the world’s best players competing in both the men’s and women’s events,” said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament organisers Dubai Duty Free.
“Despite some of the players withdrawing due to injury and illness we are still very confident of a memorable tournament ahead and guarantee spectators will enjoy every moment of what will be a spectacular two weeks of tennis.”
“We would like to wish both Maria and Serena a speedy recovery and we look forward to welcoming them back to Dubai next year.”
Grandstand tickets for the first three days of the Dubai Duty Free Men’s and Women’s Opens are still available at the Dubai Tennis Stadium Box Office.
Online tickets (subject to availability) are available on www.timeouttickets.com. For further information contact the Tournament hotline, which offers a 24 hour information service, on 04 - 3020444.
For further information visit www.dubaitennischampionships.com
The Dubai Tennis Championships takes place under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
For further information: John Rynehart, Promoseven Sports Marketing,
(T) +9714 3210008; (M) +971 50 55 96795; john.rynehart@promoseven.com
