Next month’s 31st Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will see WTA World No. 2 Ons Jabeur and 21-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic compete. The WTA event starts on 19th February, followed by the 31st ATP Tour 500 event from 26th February to 4th March. Dubai Duty Free organizes it under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
When Tunisian star Jabeur reached the Wimbledon final last year, she became the first Arab to play in a Grand Slam final. Two months later, she reached the US Open final at Flushing Meadows. She was stopped in the last eight last year by two-time champion Simona Halep at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Jabeur is looking forward to playing at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships once again. It’s always a special experience playing in the emirate, and the fans support me well. I’ve had some memorable weeks there in the past without taking home the title, so I hope this year I’ll do it.”
Five-time Dubai champion Djokovic has also confirmed his participation, joining the only male player with more Grand Slam wins – Rafael Nadal. It will be Djokovic’s first title in Dubai since 2020 as he aims to break Roger Federer’s record of eight titles there.
With victory at Wimbledon, Djokovic won his 21st Grand Slam title, broke his own record for most weeks as No. 1 on the ATP Tour (373 weeks) and won his 38th ATP 1000 Masters title. In addition, he became the first player to win 30 or more singles titles at every ATP Masters 1000 event.
I’m always excited to be back in Dubai. Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships are special to me. It has been a pleasure to play some great matches at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium over the years. “I can’t wait to play there again,” said Djokovic who won the first of five DDFTC titles in 2009.