UAE. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, a leading event on the men’s ATP Tour, begins today (Monday), with big names such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and two-time finalist Tomas Berdych among those taking part.
The event 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.
For the first time in the history of the event, an Irish player will compete. The participation of wild card James McGee extends the retailer’s long-standing connections with Ireland, from which many of its senior management hail.
McGee meets 45th ranked Joao Sousa of Portugal in the first match of the tournament on Centre court at 2pm Dubai time on Monday.
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James McGee: Makes history in Dubai |
The 27-year-old Dubliner, who trains at the BTT Tennis Academy in Barcelona, is currently ranked 208, and has a career high ranking of 188 which he achieved in October 2014.
“Ireland has long had a strong association with the tournament, and we are delighted to welcome our first Irish player to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. We look forward to seeing him in action on Centre Court and we wish him well,” said Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin.
The match of the day on the first day’s play on Centre Court will be at 7pm when defending champion and six time title winner Roger Federer will face Mikhail Youzhny, who is making his 14th appearance in Dubai.
Novak Djokovic will also make his first appearance in the championships, also as a wild card in the doubles with fellow Serbian Laslo Djere.
