By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, December 16, 2024
Photo: Francois Nel/Getty for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Dubai will celebrate its silver anniversary with the gold standard champions.
World number 1 Aryna Sabalenkafive-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatekgold medalist Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and defending champion Jasmine Paolini headline the field for the historic 25th anniversary of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships next February.
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Organizers have announced a loaded line-up for the WTA 1000-level event, set for February 16-29, 2025.
The reigning Wimbledon winner and 2023 Dubai champion Barbora Krejcikova2023 semi-finalist Jessica Pegula and 2018 finalist Daria Kasatkina are among the notable names who have committed to the Dubai Silver Anniversary Edition.
“This year marks an important milestone as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the WTA Dubai Championships. Ramesh Sidambisaid the Chairman of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship Organizing Committee. “The tournament’s elevation to permanent WTA 1000 status last year underlines the caliber of talent this competition consistently attracts and with the world’s top 10 players already confirmed to take part, Dubai continues to strengthen its status as a premier destination in the global tennis scene.”
Last February, Paolini won 16 of the last 19 points fighting out of qualifying Anna Kalinskaya 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, in a dramatic comeback victory in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Championship. Kalinskaya knocked off No. 1 Swiatek on her way to the biggest final of her career.
Never say die 🏆Jasmine Paolini wins her first WTA 1000 title against Kalinskaya 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 after falling from 3-5 down in the third!#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/womQ9IprjG
— wta (@WTA) February 24, 2024
Exuding energy and defiance, the 5’4” Italian stood tall as she snapped Kalinskaya’s seven-match winning streak to claim her second career title.
“It’s so special — I’m really happy,” Paolini said. “It was a really difficult match. She is playing incredible. She played unbelievable all week.
“I’m very happy to be back, it was very difficult. I tried to stay focused on every point, believe me, it went really well. I’m really proud of myself.”
Paolini’s headline was a prelude of positive things to come: She went on to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals in the same season.
