On Monday, the 28th edition of the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will get underway. Here is everything you need to know about the tournament.
What is it?
The 2020 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is an ATP 500 tournament, which takes place every February in the week following the WTA event. As a 500-event, its importance ranks behind only the four grand slam tournaments, the ATP Finals, and the nine Masters 1000 events on the ATP calendar.
When is it?
The 2020 tournament will begin with first round matches on Monday, February 24, and conclude with the final on Saturday, February 29.
Where is it?
The tournament takes place every year at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre. Most of the matches, including all quarter-final, semi-final, and final matches, are held inside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Who is playing this year?
The 2020 tournament is headlined by world No 1 Novak Djokovic, who arrives in Dubai on a 13-match winning run having led Serbia to the inaugural ATP Cup before successfully defending his Australian Open title. Joining Djokovic in Dubai will be Greek world No 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, who since reaching the Dubai final last year claimed the biggest title of his career at the ATP Finals.
France's world No 9 Gael Monfils will also be competing and enters the tournament on a hot streak following back-to-back titles in Montpellier and Rotterdam. Italian world No 11 and Monte Carlos Masters champion Fabio Fognini will make his Dubai debut this year, while Spanish world No 12 Roberto Bautista Agut returns aiming to repeat his title-winning campaign of 2018.
Other notable players include Russian world No 14 Andrey Rublev – winner of two titles already this season – and compatriot Karen Khachanov, who is ranked world No 17. Outside the seeds, 2014 US Open champion and former world No 3 Marin Cilic and British No 1 Dan Evans add their names to a competitive field.
Where is Roger Federer?
Roger Federer has been a frequent visitor to this tournament and last year made history by winning his 100th career title in Dubai. It also extended his record of Dubai titles to eight – twice as many as nearest challenger Djokovic.
The Swiss superstar was scheduled to defend his title, but announced his withdrawal on Thursday after undergoing knee surgery. The world No 3 will also miss the second grand slam of the season at the French Open, but is expected to return in time for his favoured grass court section of the year.
What is the prize money?
The total prize money on offer stands at $2.9 million (Dh10.65m), across both singles and doubles. The winner of the singles title will pocket $565,705, with the runner-up awarded $284,485. Each of the two losing semi-finalists will earn $143,880 and the four quarter-finalists will take home $76,025. Those defeated in the second round will earn $38,835 and the first round losers will receive $21,525.
Are tickets still available?
According to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships website, a limited number of tickets are still available, although Platinum List – the online ticket partner – have closed ticket sales. The best option would be to purchase directly from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Box Office. For more information, visit: dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com/tickets/available-tickets/
