Many of the best tennis players in the world will soon be in Dubai to compete at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as the WTA Tour concludes its Middle East swing.
Here is everything you need to know about the WTA 1000 tournament.
What is it?
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is a professional tennis event that runs for two weeks. The first week is dedicated to the WTA Tour’s women’s tournament and is followed by the ATP Tour’s men’s competition. This year will be the 24th edition of the WTA championship.
When is it?
The 2024 WTA tournament begins on February 18 with the first round of the main draw and concludes on Saturday, February 24, with finals day.
Where is it?
The championships take place at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, formerly known as the Aviation Club.
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Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic lifts the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships trophy after beating Iga Swiatek of Poland in the final on Saturday, February 25, 2023. EPA -
Barbora Krejcikova receives her trophy from Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed in Dubai. EPA -
Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic celebrates defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland in the final. Getty -
Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova, left, greets Poland's Iga Swiatek after her win in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships final. AP -
Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova returns the ball to Poland's Iga Swiatek. AP -
Iga Swiatek of Poland during the final in Dubai on Saturday. EPA -
Barbora Krejcikova during the final on Saturday. EPA -
The women's final at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. EPA -
Barbora Krejcikova beat world No 1 Iga Swiatek on Saturday. EPA -
Barbora Krejcikova beat Iga Swiatek in straight sets. AFP
Who's playing?
More accurately, who isn’t playing? For many years, Dubai and the Qatar Open traded 1000 status – or its equivalent – but since earning permanent 1000 status, all of the top players have confirmed for this year's tournament.
Every member of the WTA Tour’s ‘Big Four’ will be competing in Dubai: world No 1 Iga Swiatek, Australian Open champion and world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka, US Open champion and world No 3 Coco Gauff and world No 4 Elena Rybakina, who is aiming for the UAE double having won the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open this month.
Further star power is added in the form of Tunisian world No 6 Ons Jabeur, while China’s world No 7 Qinwen Zheng will also play, weeks after reaching the Australian Open final. Barbora Krejcikova, who defeated Swiatek in last year’s final, will return to defend her title.
In all, nine of the world’s top 10 and 17 of the top 20, will compete at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
What is the tournament schedule?
Friday, February 16: Qualifiers
Saturday, February 17: Qualifiers
Sunday, February 18: First round
Monday, February 19: First round
Tuesday, February 20: Second round
Wednesday, February 21: Third round
Thursday, February 22: Quarter-finals
Friday, February 23: Semi-finals
Saturday, February 24: Finals
Are tickets still available?
Tickets are still available for all seven days of the tournament, according to the tournament website. Tickets come in three tiers: Grandstand, Prime A and Prime B. For the first, second, and third rounds, Grandstand tickets are Dh55, Prime B Dh105 and Prime A Dh160.
For the quarter-finals, Grandstand tickets are Dh160, Prime B Dh210 and Prime A Dh265. Semi-final tickets start at Dh265, with Prime B Dh370 and Prime A Dh420. For finals day, Prime A tickets have sold out, but Grandstand (Dh370) and Prime B (Dh525) are still available.
Will it be broadcast on TV?
For tennis fans in the UAE who want to watch the tournament on television, it will be broadcast live on Dubai Sports. For international viewers, the full list of partner networks can be found here.
For more information about the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, visit the official website.
