Defending champion Simona Halep has been handed a wildcard for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after deciding to delay surgery to compete in the event.
World No 3 Halep had initially ruled herself out of competing in Dubai, but the Romanian is among three high-profile players to receive wildcards from tournament organisers.
Joining Halep and the rest of the field will be 2013 champion and world No 9 Petra Kvitova and 2015 finalist Karolina Pliskova.
”I learnt how to play without pressure when I have to defend something, to defend points or the title,” Halep said. “And I learnt that if I’m relaxed and enjoying what I’m doing it helps me concentrate better and I can win tough matches.”
Kvitova was a key part of the Czech Republic’s Fed Cup triumph in 2015, and she picked up another three titles last season, in Sydney, Madrid and New Haven.
However, Kvitova enters the Dubai Championships looking to reverse a tough start to 2016 that has seen her get knocked out of the Australian Open second round and possess a 1-4 win-loss record.
While compatriot Kvitova struggles for form, Pliskova will head to Dubai following her heroics for the Czech Republic in this season’s Fed Cup when she won all three ties against Romania to book her nation’s place in the semi-finals.
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As well as reaching the Dubai final, Pliskova was also a finalist in four other events in 2015, won her fourth career title in Prague, and rose to a career-high No 7 in the world.
“We are thrilled that once again so many of the very best players in the world have chosen to compete at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free.
“Three former Dubai champions will be taking part, and four players who are or who have been ranked No 1 in the world will also participate.
“We can be certain that every day will provide great entertainment and drama as so many battles for one of the most coveted trophies in the sport. We wish everyone well and look forward to seeing who will emerge as our 2016 champion.”
The addition of Halep, Kvitova, and Pliskova enhances an already fiercely competitive field, which now boasts six if the world’s top 10 players.
World No 1 Serena Williams will be aiming for her first Dubai title and could face world No 2 and Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in a rematch of the Melbourne final.
Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, the world No 3, and compatriot Carla Suarez Navarro, ranked No 8, round off the six, while the likes of world No 11 Belinda Bencic, and former world No 1s Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, and Jelena Jankovic will ensure an open competition.
However, tennis fans will be deprived of 2012 champion Agnieszka Radwanska after organisers announced her last-minute withdrawal.
“With so many top players participating not all will be able to play on centre court, and that will give Dubai tennis fans the unique chance to see a number of the best players in the world competing on the outside courts free of charge,” Tournament Director Salah Tahlak said.
“No other tournament in the world can offer such an opportunity. Unfortunately our 2012 champion, Agnieszka Radwanska, has had to withdraw due to injury, but she has been replaced by 2013 Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki.”
The WTA event takes place February 15-20, which will be followed by the ATP event, headlined by world No 1 Novak Djokovic.
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