Andy Murray to join strong field at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

DUBAI: Former world No. 1 and 2017 champion Andy Murray is set to make a welcome return to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this month, joining a strong field that includes world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

The two-time Wimbledon and Olympics winner — who was awarded an OBE in Queen Elizabeth’s New Year Honours List in December 2016 for services to tennis and charity, and knighted in 2019 by Prince Charles — will be returning to Dubai for the first time since claiming the title five years ago.

“We are thrilled that Andy has chosen to compete once again at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where he has always received a huge and enthusiastic welcome,” said Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free.

“He is still clearly a strong contender wherever he plays, as his recent success in Sydney has proven. We wish him well during his return to Dubai.”

Murray will never forget his Dubai debut in 2008, when he not only drew defending champion Roger Federer in the first round, but defeated him in three dramatic sets. It was the first time that world No. 1 Federer had lost a first round match since 2004.

Both that year and in 2009 Murray reached the quarter-finals, and after falling in the second round in 2010, he advanced all the way to the final upon his next visit in 2012, defeating Djokovic in the semi-finals but with Federer this time winning his fifth Dubai title.

A further quarter-final finish in 2015 was then followed by his 2017 final victory over Fernando Verdasco.

Murray made his career breakthrough by defeating Djokovic at the 2012 US Open to become the first British Grand Slam champion since Virginia Wade in 1977, and the first male champion since Fred Perry in 1936.

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