Dubai Tennis Championships
Friday, February 27th, 2009The Barclays Dubai Tennis Championship has finished up its 2009 event today. Serbian Novak Djokovic defeated David Ferrer of Spain in straight sets to take home the Mens Singles title. Djokovic was ranked third heading into the tournament. In 2008 he won the Australian Open and the Master Cup.
The tournament is part of the growing sports industry in Dubai. Organized by Dubai Duty Free, the hardcourt tournment is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Women’s Singles title was won on February 21st by Venus Williams(USA), who defeated virginie Razzano of France.
In recent years Dubai has seen an explosion of international sporting events as well as the participation of Dubai athletes on the global field. In addition to the Dubai Tennis Championship, Dubia is home to the Legends Rock Dubai tennis tournament, the Dubai World Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournaments, and the Dubai World Cup which is a thoroughbred horse race. The International Cricket Council recently moved from London to Dubai in recognition of the region’s importance to the future of the sport.
The influx of athletes, press, and fans surrounding these events has contributed greatly to Dubai’s rapidly growing tourist trade. Five star hotels Dubai, beach resorts, and world-class restaurants are expanding at an astounding rate in the area, as are entertainment and leisure venues such as theaters and nightclubs.
