Novak Djokovic to join Rafael Nadal in Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

Djokovic to join Nadal in Dubai tennis championships

Five-time Dubai champion Novak Djokovic will return to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (DDFTC) in February, joining Rafael Nadal in the star player line-up.

WTA World No. 2 Ons Jabeur will also compete in the 31st edition of DDFTC, which will start with the WTA event from February 19 to 25, followed the AFP Tour 500 from February 26 to March 4.

Serbian Djokovic returns to Dubai to seek a first title in the emirate since 2020 as he looks to get within two of Roger Federer’s record of eight Dubai wins.

Djokovic returns to Dubai following a stellar 2022 in which he won his 21st Grand Slam title with victory at Wimbledon, broke his own record for number of weeks as No.1 on the ATP Tour – 373 weeks atop the rankings – and won a 38th ATP 1000 Masters title. He also became the first player to amass 30 or more singles victories at every ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

“It’s always exciting to be back in Dubai. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is a special event for me. I have a long history with the Championship and have been fortunate to play some great matches in front of the crowd at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. I can’t wait to play there again,” said Djokovic who won the first of his five DDFTC crowns with victory in 2009.

Returning to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium for an eighth consecutive year, Tunisian star Jabeur was last year stopped in the last eight by two-time champion Simona Halep.

“I’m very much looking forward to playing at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships once again,” said Jabeur. “As an Arab, it’s always a special experience playing in the emirate and the fans make me feel very well-supported. I have had some great weeks there in previous years without leaving with the title, so this year I hope to finally get my hands on some silverware.” ICA/Expat Media

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