Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to play Dubai

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will headline next month’s field for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.

Roger Federer has won the Dubai Duty Free Championship five times. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo
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Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will headline next month’s field for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.

The pair have dominated the event in recent years, winning it nine times between them, and they will be the favourites to fight for the title when the ATP Tour event at the Dubai Tennis Stadium begins on February 24.

Federer has five Dubai titles, his most recent victory coming in 2012, with his other successes coming in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007.

Djokovic has been champion four of the past five years, defeating Tomas Berdych in straight sets in last year’s final.

Berdych, the world No 7, is returning in a bid to go one better on his 2013 performance.

Juan Martin del Potro, the Argentine world No 5, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the world No 10, will also be coming to the UAE for the event, giving Dubai’s tournament half of the world top 10.

Mikhail Youzhny, who picked up two titles in 2013 and is currently ranked No 15, and Dimitry Tursunov, who jumped from 125 to 29 in the rankings last year, also are in the draw.

“Not only will the championships be showcasing five of the top 10 men … but the appearance of some of the rising stars along with the return of some seasoned campaigners will guarantee a wonderful week of exciting tennis action,” said Colm McLoughlin, the executive vice chairman of Dubai Duty Free.

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