Federer, Halep, Murray, Osaka: Meet the players competing at the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

A guide to the men and women announced as participants for this year's ATP and WTA tournaments in Dubai

Naomi Osaka. Had her breakthrough year in 2018 which culminated in winning her first grand slam win at the US Open. The challenge now for the world No 4 is to find her consistency. Reached the quarter-finals last year in Dubai before losing to eventual champion Elina Svitolina. Reuters

Daria Kasatkina. The Russian was runner-up in last year's WTA Dubai event, beating Garbine Muguruza and Johanna Konta on her route to the final. Broke into the top 10 for the first time in her career in October. AFP

Stefanos Tsitsipas. Reached the quarter-finals in Dubai in 2018. The Greek player at the age of 20 is viewed as a future grand slam winner and showed his potential with a run to the last 16 at Wimbledon in July. Getty

Elina Svitolina. Winner of the WTA Dubai title the past two years. Her aim now is to become the first ever woman to win the tournament three times in a row. The world No 6 end 2018 on a high by winning the WTA Finals. Getty

Angelique Kerber. The three-time major winner is back up in the top echelons of the women's game after a strong 2018 that was highlighted by winning Wimbledon. Has reached the semi-finals the past two years in Dubai, losing both times to Elina Svitolina. Getty

Borna Coric. Enjoyed his best year in 2018 as reached the last 16 at three of the four grand slams. His best effort in Dubai was his run to the semi-finals in 2015, beating Andy Murray along the way. Getty

Karen Khachanov. The Russian made his debut in Dubai last year, losing in the last 16 to Lucas Pouille. Paris Masters success in November propelled him up to No 11 in the world. Reuters

Petra Kvitova. The double Wimbledon champion returns to Dubai for the first time since 2016. The 2013 champion in Dubai, she has not been beyond the last 16 since and will look to go deep into the tournament this time around. Getty

Kei Nishikori. The Japanese player will be playing in Dubai for the first time in February. The 2014 US Open runner-up has started 2019 in good fashion by winning the Brisbane title. Getty

Marin Cilic. The Croatian last played in Dubai in 2010. A lot has changed since then and he will return now a major winner, having won the 2014 US Open title. The world No 7 has long established himself as a top 10 player in the men's game and should be a factor here when the business end of the tournament comes around. Getty

Caroline Wozniacki. The world No 3 has the challenge of defending her Australian Open title to deal with first. But winning a second Dubai crown, eight years after her lone success, will be another goal. Lost in the final in 2017 to Svitolina on her last appearance at the event. Getty

Andy Murray. The 2017 Dubai winner has been troubled with a hip injury for the past 18 months. The three-time major winner is hoping to put his fitness issues behind him with more time on court this year. Getty

Simona Halep. The world No 1 is another player returning to Dubai after a hiatus. The Romanian has not played the event since 2016 but is another former champion who knows how to excel at the tournament. She prevailed in 2015, beating Karolina Pliskova in the final. Getty.

Roger Federer. The most successful player in the history of the tournament with seven ATP Dubai titles to his name. The world No 3 is still showing no signs of slowing down, despite being 37, and he will be a strong contender for an eighth success and a first since 2015. Getty

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships take place between February 17 and March 2, and a strong list of players have already been announced for it.

Past men's champions Roger Federer and Andy Murray have been announced for the men's ATP tournament. Meanwhile, women's world No 1 Simona Halep, Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova and winner for the past two years Elina Svitolina are all returning past victors of the WTA competition.

Tickets for both events, which will be played at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, go on sale on Thursday from 9am and can be bought at www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com

Here is a look at all the players, both male and female, who have been announced as competing in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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