Four former champions return as Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2026 takes shape
ATP 500 event features eight of world’s top 20 male players
DUBAI – The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will once again draw some of the sport’s most recognisable names this month, with four former men’s champions returning to the emirate in pursuit of another title.
Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Ugo Humbert and Stefanos Tsitsipas are all confirmed for the ATP 500 tournament, continuing a long-standing tradition that has seen champions repeatedly gravitate back to Dubai’s hard courts.
From Roger Federer’s record eight titles to Novak Djokovic’s hat-trick of victories between 2009 and 2011, Dubai has consistently rewarded players who thrive in its fast conditions and immaculate setting. That legacy remains intact in 2026, with a men’s field that includes eight of the world’s top 20 players and follows immediately after the WTA 1000 tournament featuring the entire top 20 of the women’s rankings.
The men’s competition will run from February 23 to 28 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Al Garhoud, one week after the conclusion of the women’s event. Together, the two tournaments reinforce Dubai’s status as a pivotal early-season stop on the global tennis calendar.
Medvedev returns
Medvedev arrives in Dubai as one of the most closely watched players in the draw, despite not holding top-seed status for the first time since 2023. Ranked world No12, the former world No1 lifted the Dubai trophy three years ago after defeating then top seed Djokovic in the semi-finals, a victory that underlined his authority on hard courts.
Renowned for his defensive discipline and precision from the baseline, Medvedev has built a career defined by consistency at the highest level. Since his Dubai triumph, he has reached consecutive Wimbledon semi-finals and contested the Australian Open final, while continuing to add to his trophy collection. His 2021 US Open remains his sole Grand Slam title, but his 2026 season began positively with a title win in Brisbane, marking the 22nd ATP crown of his career.
At 29, Medvedev remains a formidable presence, particularly under lights, and his return to Dubai is expected to draw significant attention from fans familiar with his previous success at the venue.
Rublev and Humbert
Standing in Medvedev’s path is a field stacked with contenders, including top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, world No10 Alexander Bublik and British No1 Jack Draper. Among them is fellow former champion Rublev, who claimed the Dubai title in 2022.
Rublev offers a sharp contrast in style, favouring relentless aggression and explosive power over baseline control. His intensity and pace have often made him a dangerous opponent in early-season tournaments, and Dubai’s conditions have historically suited his approach. As he pursues an 18th ATP title, the Russian will be eager to rediscover the form that carried him to success four years ago.
The 2024 edition of the tournament produced one of Dubai’s more unexpected champions when Humbert claimed the title after Rublev defaulted in the semi-finals. Seeded fifth, the Frenchman navigated a demanding route to the trophy, overcoming Gael Monfils, Andy Murray, Hubert Hurkacz, Medvedev and Bublik. Aside from a tight opening round and a testing quarter-final against Hurkacz, Humbert completed the run without dropping a set.
His composed performances highlighted Dubai’s role as a platform not only for established champions, but also for players ready to seize their moment. Humbert’s victory marked his second ATP 500 title and remains a defining highlight of his career.
Tsitsipas defence
Completing the group of returning champions is Tsitsipas, the reigning title-holder who finally secured his long-awaited Dubai triumph last year. After finishing runner-up in 2019 and 2020, losing to Federer and Djokovic respectively, the Greek delivered a confident performance to defeat Auger-Aliassime in the final.
That victory represented Tsitsipas’s first ATP 500 title and propelled him back into the world’s top 10. Known for his fluid all-court game and attacking instincts, the 27-year-old has long been a fan favourite in Dubai. A successful title defence would see him achieve a feat not accomplished since Federer last defended his crown in 2015.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Beyond individual campaigns, the presence of four former champions underscores the tournament’s enduring appeal. Players frequently cite the organisation, facilities and atmosphere in Dubai as among the finest on the ATP Tour, factors that continue to draw elite names back year after year.
For spectators, the 2026 edition offers a compelling blend of familiarity and unpredictability. Former champions arrive with confidence and history on their side, while emerging challengers add uncertainty to a field that promises high-quality competition throughout the week.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will span two weeks of elite tennis, with the 26th edition of the WTA 1000 tournament running from February 15 to 21, followed by the ATP 500 event from February 23 to 28. Tickets are on sale now, starting from Dh65, via ticketmaster.ae and the tournament’s official website.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
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