Andy Murray, the world No 1, will open his campaign against Tunisian world No 47 Malek Jaziri, while the tournament’s most decorated champion, seven-time winner Roger Federer — drawn in the same half as Murray — will take on Frenchman Benoit Paire in the opening round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
In the lower half, Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 champion and No 2 seed, will start his defence against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, while the fourth seed Gael Monfils takes on Egyptian wild card Mohamed Safwat. Two-time finalist Tomas Berdych, who is returning to Dubai for the 11th time, has also been drawn in the lower half and will meet a qualifier in his opening match.
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This is the 25th iteration of the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and tournament’s honours roll boasts names like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Goran Ivanisevic, Thomas Muster, Andy Roddick and Wawrinka. Players like Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Pat Cash, Jim Courier, Stefan Edberg, Carlos Moya, Gustavo Kuerten and Marcelo Rios have also played here, but failed to get their hands on the winner’s trophy.
“I love the fact that there are so many great restaurants here, great shopping and I find the people really friendly all the time,” said Murray, who will be making his sixth appearance in Dubai this week, his best result being the 2012 final when he lost to Federer. “The hotel here is unbelievably close to the courts — you can just walk out of the hotel to play your matches, practise or go to the gym. I love being here.”
“I’m looking forward to playing, especially on the anniversary of 25 years here in Dubai,” said Federer, who has missed the Dubai tournament only three times since his debut here in 2002. “It’s nice to be part of a tournament celebrating something. I’ve had some great years here in Dubai, I wanted to be in good shape and ready for the conditions so I came early this year.”
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