Philadelphia, PA—When the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, a stellar line-up of players will be in action. Details for the men's tournament have yet to be confirmed, but organizers have announced which players will feature in the women's event.
Sabalenka Headlines the Women's Event
World number one Aryna Sabalenka, five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek, and reigning Dubai champion Jasmine Paolini will be out to prove their mettle in the sweltering atmosphere. Most of the top ten players will be strutting their stuff in the United Arab Emirates at arguably the most competitive edition in recent memory.
All eyes will be on Sabalenka. The Belarusian bomber enjoyed a phenomenal 2024 campaign, capturing four titles, including the Australian and US Open. Her performances fired her ahead of Swiatek in the world rankings. However, the Polish star is a fierce competitor who will not back down until she regains her status.
United States star Coco Gauff will also be in the lineup. She will be keen to make her mark after failing to win a Grand Slam title in 2024. Paolini finished as a runner-up at the French Open and Wimbledon. She didn't stop there, clinching doubles gold for Italy at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Barbora Krejcikova, Daria Kasatkina, and Jessica Pegula are other top players who will showcase their talents at the event in February.
Middle East Poised for a Surge in Betting Activity
The Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships typically sparks a worldwide surge in betting, and the Middle East is expected to experience this boon as the tournament celebrates its silver jubilee. The Gulf states have garnered many new tennis fans in recent years. This rapidly growing region has a young population showing increasing interest in sports as fans and participants.
This passion for tennis and the tournament's penchant for delivering blockbuster match-ups have fertilized the ground for sports betting. Modern betting platforms, such as the sportsbook featured in the 1xBet review for Arab players, offer bettors everything from outright winner markets to set-by-set results.
Sabalenka is unsurprisingly considered the favorite to clinch the title. Bookmakers are tipping her to win the tournament based on her excellent form in 2024. The men's tournament will be hotly contested despite Carlos Alcarez's absence. This opens the door for other players to claim one of the most coveted titles of the year.
Dubai Creates a Legacy of Excellence
Managing Director of Dubai Duty-Free and Chairman of the tournament's Organising Committee, Ramesh Cidambi, noted the significance of the 2025 edition. "This year marks an important landmark as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the WTA Championships in Dubai," Cidambi said.
"The tournament's elevation to permanent WTA 1000 status last year underlines the caliber of talent this competition consistently attracts.
"With the world's top ten women's players confirmed to participate, Dubai continues solidifying its status as a premier destination on the global tennis stage."
Tournament Director and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty-Free Salah Tahlak added: "We are delighted to have so many of the world's top women's players competing in Dubai as we celebrate an incredible milestone in this tournament's history.
"Our WTA event continues to grow yearly, and 2025 promises to be special." The WTA tournament begins on February 16, while the ATP event starts eight days later.
