No Murray as Federer & Djokovic lead stellar Dubai line-up

Andy Murray may have opted to skip the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship this year, but the line-ups for both the men’s and women’s events promise to be as star-studded as ever.

Murray is arguably tennis’ man of the moment having won his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open as well as Olympic gold in London in the second half of last season. The world No3 has decided to miss the 2013 tournament to focus on Indian Wells after finding the trip to the UAE disrupted his preparations last year.

However, there will still be plenty of top talent on display, most notably the two best players on the planet in Novak Djokovic and defending champion Roger Federer, when the men’s event takes place from February 25 to March 2.

Federer, who defeated Murray in last year’s showcase to lift a record fifth Dubai title, will be back to excite the crowds, but his ambitions of a sixth trophy will face stiff competition from some of the world’s top players.

Alongside Federer and three-time champion Djokovic, another four of the world’s top ten are expected to be announced as part of the line-up, with Janko Tipsarevic, Juan Martin Del Potro Tomas Berdych, and Jo Wilfried Tsonga also vying for the title.

Prior to the men’s event, the women will do battle between February 18 – 23 and defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska, world No1 Victoria Azarenka, and 15-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams have confirmed their attendance.

Furthermore, the women’s event will boast nine of the world’s top ten with Radwanska, Azarenka and Williams joined by Angelique Kerber, Sara Errani, Li Na, Petra Kvitova, Sam Stosur and 2011 champion Caroline Wozniacki.

Commenting on this year’s event, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, the tournament owners and organisers, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the world’s best players back to Dubai. We are looking forward to some thrilling matches, with so many great players here the fans will be able to see world-class tennis on every day of the tournament.

“With the men’s and women’s world number one players here, along with the current holders of five Grand Slam crowns and both defending champions from last year, Dubai tennis fans are set for a sporting treat second to none.”

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Tickets for the event go on sale on January 14. Grandstand tickets are also available online at http://www.timeouttickets.com/

For further information about tickets, prices and the tournament, visit http://www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com/ or phone the call centre on +971 4 358 9797 .

 

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