UAE. Andrey Rublev won the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday, defeating qualifier Jiri Vesely 6-3 6-4 in the final. The event, now in its 30th year, offers a strong marketing platform for the leading travel retailer. The doubles final saw Tim Puetz and Michael Venus overcome Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 6-3 6-7 16-14.
The final was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline, and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free; His Highness Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum – President of UAE Tennis Federation and Nasser Yousef, Secretary General, UAE Tennis Federation.
“We have enjoyed not only a highly entertaining final but a fantastic week that has celebrated the 30th year of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in the best possible way,” said Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin.
“Every day has produced great drama and so many matches have been decided only in the final moments, and it is with great pleasure that we not only congratulate Andrey Rublev on his wonderful victory but Jiri Vesely too for his successful week in overcoming such strong opposition to reach today’s final. We wish both of them well in the weeks and months ahead and look forward to welcoming them back to Dubai in 2023.
“And not only did we enjoy so many closely-fought matches in the singles, but the doubles final too was full of drama in which both teams had the chance of taking the title. We congratulate Tim Puetz and Michael Venus on their fine victory and Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic for their excellent week.”
Rublev said: “I came here without any expectation. I was thinking, even if I’m going to win at least one round, it’s going to be something like a miracle. This week I was super lucky.”
“Some of the matches we have seen this week have been among the most thrilling and entertaining in the tournament’s 30 year history,” said Tournament Director Salah Tahlak. “Every day has produced battles that have had us on the edge of our seats until the very end, and both players have worked incredibly hard to reach today’s final.
“We could not have asked for more from them, nor from the others whose efforts fell just short in the face of such determined and talented opposition. We look forward to Andrey Rublev defending his title in 2023, and to see once again those others who have performed this week with such distinction.”
Rublev later picked the winning ticket for the latest Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw, for a luxury BMW X6 M50i. The winner was Kholoud Abouzeid, an Egyptian national based in Dubai. Rublev was accompanied in making the draw by Dubai Duty Free SVP Marketing Sinead El Sibai.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
As reported, Jelena Ostapenko defeated Veronika Kudermetova 6-0 6-4 last week to claim the women’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships trophy.
