Andy Murray the latest star name added to Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Scot will join two other former winners in Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev for 2024 tournament

Andy Murray, a former winner of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, is back for the 2024 tournament. Reuters

Andy Murray is the latest big name to be confirmed for the 2024 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

The three-time Grand Slam champion and double Olympic gold medallist returns after a two-year absence to make his eighth appearance at the tournament. Murray, the winner of 46 ATP Tour singles titles, picked up the trophy in Dubai in 2017.

The Scot joins a stellar field which also includes two other former winners in reigning champion Daniil Medvedev and 2022 champion Andrey Rublev.

“We are thrilled to have three former champions in Andy, Andrey, and Daniil participating, further underlining the regard in which this tournament is held,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free.

Other notable names who will feature in the men’s tournament include world No 8 Hubert Hurkacz, last year’s Australian Open semi-finalist and current world No 18 Karen Khachanov, five-time ATP Tour singles title winner Adrian Mannarino and former Wimbledon finalist and Australian Open semi-finalist Milos Raonic. The tournament runs from February 26 to March 2.

Salah Tahlak, Joint COO of Dubai Duty Free and Tournament Director of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Andy, Andrey, and Daniil back to Dubai this year. They are all extremely popular figures among the tennis fraternity, so having these type of players competing in the tournament is great news for us.”

The 36-year-old Murray was beaten in straight sets by Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the first round of the Australian Open last month, leading to questions over his future.

Britain's Andy Murray waves as he walks off the court after losing in the first round of the Australian Open. AFP

However, Murray, in response to an article suggesting he might harm his legacy if he continued playing, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Tarnishing my legacy? Do me a favour. I’m in a terrible moment right now I’ll give you that.

“Most people would quit and give up in my situation right now. But I’m not most people and my mind works differently. I won’t quit. I will keep fighting and working to produce the performances I know I’m capable of.”

Meanwhile, a star-studded WTA line-up will see 17 of the world’s top-20 players head to Dubai for the 24th edition of the WTA Tour tournament – recently awarded permanent WTA 1000 status.

Nine of the world’s top-10 female players will be in the emirate for the latest instalment. World No 1 Iga Swiatek, world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka, fresh from securing her second successive Australian Open crown and world No 3 Coco Gauff lead the impressive pack. The women’s event will – as is tradition – run one week before the ATP event, from February 18 to 24.

Tickets for both the women's and men's events are available to purchase now at www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com.

Daniil Medvedev poses with trophy after beating Andrey Rublev to win the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title on March 4, 2023. Reuters

Daniil Medvedev after beating Andrey Rublev to win the Dubai Tennis Championships title. AP

Daniil Medvedev with runner-up Andrey Rublev in Dubai. AP

Daniil Medvedev celebrates his victory against Andrey Rublev in the Dubai Tennis Championships final on March 4, 2023. Getty

Andrey Rublev with Daniil Medvedev after the match. Reuters

Daniil Medvedev returns the ball during his 6-2, 6-2 win. AP

Andrey Rublev plays a backhand in the Dubai final. Getty

Daniil Medvedev during the final against Andrey Rublev. AFP

A general view of play during the final at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Getty

Daniil Medvedev during the final against Andrey Rublev. AP

Andrey Rublev in action during the final. Reuters