H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Awards Trophies at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Dubai, The Gulf Observer: In a spectacular culmination of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council, presented the winner’s trophy to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini following an electrifying title match in the women’s competition.
The tournament, an integral part of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 tournaments, unfolded under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The awards ceremony, held on the iconic main court of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, marked the conclusion of an exhilarating week of world-class tennis action.
Paolini’s triumph in the women’s competition came after a gripping final match witnessed by a capacity crowd at Dubai Tennis Stadium. Despite losing the first set, Paolini showcased exceptional resilience, securing victory over qualifier Anna Kalinskaya in a nail-biting 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 thriller.
Distinguished guests attended the awards ceremony, including His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Tennis Federation; Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free; Nasser Youssef Al Marzouqi, General Secretary of the UAE Tennis Federation; Salah Tahlak, Joint COO of Dubai Duty Free and Tournament Director of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships; and Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Dubai Duty Free.
The championship, a flagship international sporting showcase in Dubai, featured intense competition from over 100 of the world’s elite female tennis players, competing for both the singles and doubles championship titles over an exciting week of matches.
In the doubles final, Australia’s Storm Hunter and the Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova secured victory over the USA’s Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Australia’s Ellen Perez on Centre Court, backed by an appreciative audience offering constant encouragement. The victorious duo clinched the contest with a decisive 6-4, 6-2 victory.
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Once again, Dubai has been the stage for an exhilarating week of women’s tennis, marking the 24th edition of the championship. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winners, our Singles champion Jasmine Paolini, and our Doubles champions Storm Hunter and Katerina Siniakova, who have earned their titles through outstanding play.”
Salah Talak, Joint COO of Dubai Duty Free, shared his sentiments, stating, “It’s a privilege to see the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships continue to draw the world’s top players. This year’s event exceeded expectations, offering an incredible week, concluding with two outstanding finals, highlighted by a combination of excellent tennis, perfect weather, and enthusiastic fans. We eagerly anticipate the 25th edition in 2025, where we hope to welcome everyone back for another round of world-class tennis.”
