If there was ever a season to celebrate the rising profile of tennis in the Middle East, it would be this one. I am feeling it on a personal level. But it is clearly happening more widely, too.
This week was very special for me because I get to compete on home soil at the Jasmin Open ― the first WTA tournament to be staged in Tunisia.
It is amazing to have such an event in my country. So many people, children and adults, have been dreaming of seeing me play in Tunisia. The fact that I am here and that my countrymen and women can see me live is an opportunity to inspire all, particularly the new generation, who should believe that they too can one day be in my position, on tour as Tunisians and playing in major tournaments.
It is also, of course, a great moment to project a positive image of Tunisia to the world. Sport has an almost unique power to inspire in both such a personal and large-scale way.
It is not easy, as my career, and the career of all athletes, show. But many of the deeper rewards are still there, in defeat as much as in victory. A couple of weeks ago I lost the US Open final to Iga Swiatek. While it might seem like a sad moment, believe it or not, I have not really had the time to reflect on what I achieved at the Grand Slams this season. Instead, I’ve just been focused on Tunisia’s tournament and its significance for the country and the region.
Nonetheless, it has been a busy year. I still cannot believe that I reached two Grand Slam finals in a row, at Wimbledon and in New York. Now there is another big tournament coming up, the WTA Finals, which is going to be my next big focus. I can certainly say I’m a little bit tired. It is the end of the season and I can really feel it. The most important thing for me is to rest after those big tournaments and not feel drained, especially emotionally, because international tennis takes a lot out of you in that regard.
It is important to give myself a chance to celebrate. And while focus needs to be maintained, being surrounded by my family here at the Jasmin Open is a good chance to reflect on the deeper sporting significance of this year.
Many of the deeper rewards are still there, in defeat as much as in victory
I get asked a lot about my legacy and how I feel about the impact I’ve had so far on Arab sport. I don’t want to get caught up in that kind of competitiveness with other players. I just want us, as players in the region, to be united in general and to push each other to do better, wishing each other the best results possible.
I am trying to do my bit, in particular by giving hope and inspiration to as many players as possible. Nonetheless, it is a huge task, the extent of which I still cannot fully comprehend. In only one week I have been overwhelmed at the number of young and talented players here in Tunisia who come up to me to speak about their goals and ambitions.
This surge of enthusiasm in the region is not just reserved for tennis players. Recently, Moroccan golfer Ines Laklalech, who last month became the first Arab or North African to win a title on the Ladies European Tour, reached out to thank me for being an inspiration to her. It was a touching moment. I had not fully appreciated that tennis could help people in other sports, too. Apparently there are only two Moroccan women playing golf on the LET, and one of them texted me. It gives me extra motivation to do more.
Mayar Sherif of Egypt won her first WTA title this month in Parma, Italy. EPA
I was also very happy to see Egypt’s Mayar Sherif winning her first WTA title this month in Parma. It was amazing to see her overcome the odds, not least in terms of her recent tough injury. Hopefully she can join the effort to encourage more players from Egypt and the region. Her country is already a remarkably successful centre of squash internationally.
Back in the world of tennis, it is amazing to have two Arab women ranked in the top 50 in the WTA. It is reminiscent of the “Three Musketeers”, the Moroccan trio of Hicham Arazi, Karim Alami and Younes El Aynaoui, who excelled in the men’s tennis tour; so it’s nice to see the women now at the forefront.
It is worth mentioning that the UAE is playing an important role in encouraging sporting success in the region. After the US Open last month, I was delighted to learn that I was named Arab Sports Personality of the Year at the Fatima bint Mubarak Women Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi. I feel at home in Abu Dhabi and have a strong connection to it, a reason that I am so happy to be coming back one more time to play the Mubadala World Tennis Championship next December.
I would say I even feel spoilt in the city. Last year, even though I was a last-minute replacement for Emma Raducanu, a supportive crowd showed up and people were really cheering me on. I think that was one of the first occasions that I started to recognise quite how big is the impact that I am having on the Arab world and its sport. This time round, with more notice that I am coming, I am hoping for a full stadium.
I think my biggest goal for 2023 is to win a Grand Slam and become world number one. But whether or not this happens, there is always the inspiring and crucial side story of promoting sport in the region, one in which I am proud to be a key character.
Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community
• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style
“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.
Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term.
From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”
• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International
"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed. Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."
• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."
"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.
His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.
Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."
"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen. He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”
• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
