Djokovic and Federer to renew rivalry in Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Icons lead field at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships from February 15-20, with tickets on sale Monday

17 January 2016

Dubai: World number one Novak Djokovic and seven-time Dubai champion Roger Federer will be joined by world number four Stan Wawrinka and world number six Tomas Berdych in the battle for the coveted Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships trophy in February.

Together, Federer and Djokovic hold 11 of the last 13 titles in Dubai but competition remains fierce with two-time finalist Berdych and two-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka both making an appearance in this year’s tournament along with young Australian Nick Kyrgios, fresh from his Hopman Cup victory.

Federer claimed an historic seventh title at the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships beating Djokovic 6-3 7-5. “The seventh is quite unbelievable” said Federer after winning at last year’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. “I guess it definitely helps practicing in Dubai quite a bit. I know how the ball flies and the conditions here.”

Federer is Djokovic’s strongest challenger and the two have met four times in Dubai.

Commenting on this year’s line-up, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, the tournament owners and organisers: “With 11 titles between them at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are the tournament’s favourites but we can’t rule some of the other contenders in the lineup - both Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych are enjoying great success and it will be fascinating to see who emerges at the end of the week as the winner.”

Tournament Director Salah Tahlak said: “With the outstanding line-up of players announced for the ATP, we are in for another nail-biting week as some of the best players in the world meet each other on the courts and provide great entertainment for all tennis fans.”

Play in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships begins with the WTA event, which takes place between February 15-20 and features world number one Serena Williams, Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza, 2015 WTA Finals and 2016 Shenzhen champion Agnieszka Radwanska, and former world number ones Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki. Play then continues between February 22-27 with the action-packed ATP tournament.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships are owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free, and held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Tickets for the event will go on sale on Monday (January 18) from the Box Office at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, which is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily but will open at 8am tomorrow in anticipation of early morning crowds. Grandstand ticket prices range from Dh75 for opening rounds to Dh700 for finals, with season tickets also available.