TOURNAMENT INFO
TIER: Premier
PRIZE MONEY: $2,365,250
SURFACE: Hard
DIRECTOR: Salah Tahlak
Launched as a men's tournament in 1993, what is now known as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships became a joint event in 2001 and that same year the players voted it as the WTA's Premier Tournament Of The Year, an honor it was awarded again the following year.
The tournament is staged at the picturesque Aviation Club, which features the immensely popular Irish Village pub and an extensive range of recreational and entertainment facilities including a gym and spa. The Dubai Tennis Stadium also serves as a leading concert venue.
Justine Henin has the tournament record with four titles followed by Venus Williams with three. Other former champions include WTA superstars Lindsay Davenport, Elena Dementieva, Martina Hingis, Petra Kvitova, Amélie Mauresmo and Caroline Wozniacki. Liezel Huber has the most doubles titles in Dubai history with five.
Dubai Duty Free is the event owner, organizer and title sponsor. A WTA sponsor since 2004, its partnership has been marked by leadership and innovation, including sponsoring the first Middle East tournament to award equal prize money and being a strong supporter of the growth of women's tennis in the region.
Strategically located between Europe, Asia and Africa, Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. With almost constant sunshine and a growing reputation as an essential place to do business, the city attracts global attention through innovative real estate projects like the world's tallest building - the Burj Khalifa - and the famous sail-shaped hotel - the Burj al Arab. In addition to featuring major construction and development, Dubai hosts a number of world class sports events and conferences.
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