UAE. Dubai Duty Free is preparing to host its high-profile annual Tennis Championships, which take place at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium from 7 to 20 March. The event attracts many millions of viewers from around the world each year, delivering a marketing boost to the leading travel retailer and to Dubai as a destination.
This will be the 21st staging of the WTA women’s event and the 29th time the star-studded ATP men’s tournament has been hosted in Dubai.
“The tournament has grown to become one of the major highlights of Dubai’s sporting calendar and we are looking forward to welcoming back the world’s best players once again,” said Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin.
Dubai Duty Free said it had been working hard to ensure the health and safety of all who participate in the two-week event, which this year will be without spectators, in line with Covid-19 guidelines.
The tournament organising committee, headed by Dubai Duty Free Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Cidambi, has been working with the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Health Authority to adhere to the protocols put in place by the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management.
“We have been in constant communication with the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Health Authority on the protocols required for staging this world-class event in Dubai,” said Cidambi. “We would like to thank the UAE authorities for their ongoing support and we are looking forward to staging a great tournament.”
The retailer said it had consulted with officials from both the ATP and WTA tours to ensure the wellbeing of players and officials.
“We are putting all the precautions in place to ensure the safest of environments for everyone involved,” said Tournament Director Salah Tahlak. “Although tennis fans will not be able to be present at the tournament, the good news is that Dubai Sports Channel will carry each and every match played on Centre Court live from first ball to last, so everyone will be able to watch their favourite players in Dubai. The global media coverage of the tournament last year was estimated at US$1billion, so the eyes of the world will be on Dubai over the two weeks of the tournament.”
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.
