Tournament Preview: Dubai, 27 February - 4 March 2006

THE DUBAI TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2006

Every year in February, Dubai plays host to one of the circuit's best Gold Series events. This year is no exception, with 
the tournament once again attracting the crème de la crème of men's tennis. World number 1, Roger Federer, who also spends 
part of his off-time in Dubai, will be returning to defend his title in his first event back since winning the Australian 
Open last month. He will be joined by world number 2 and reigning French Open champion, Rafael Nadal, who is gradually 
easing his way back into the swing of things after a 4 month injury lay off. He made his comeback in Marseille a fortnight 
ago where he reached the semifinals and returns to Dubai for the second time after playing here in 2004. Russian world 
number 6, Nikolay Davydenko, also makes a return to Dubai, as does tennis icon and current world number 8, Andre Agassi. 
Agassi was one of the stars of last year's tournament, when he made his debut at the tournament, despite having played on 
the circuit for almost 20 years. The everlasting Agassi will once again be back in Dubai, choosing to play here over his 
home town tournament in Las Vegas. Another drawcard will be Marat Safin. The big Russian is hoping to finally make his 
comeback to the circuit after being sidelined since August. He is well-known for his interesting personality on tour and 
his presence has been sorely missed. Spaniard David Ferrer, who recently cracked the top 10 for the first time, will be 
making his debut in Dubai after deciding to skip the usual South American swing and play on hardcourts. He will be looking 
for some better form in the UAE as he prepares for the US hardcourt Masters. 

Other players of note at this year's event will be Paris winner Tomas Berdych, a rising star of the men's game; Jarkko 
Nieminen, who became the first Finnish player to win an ATP tournament when he won Auckland in January; Feliciano Lopez of 
Spain, the finalist here in 2004; Stanislas Wawrinka, the Swiss rising star who showed some great form in Australia and the 
Davis Cup; Frenchman, Paul-Henri Mathieu, who reached the 4th round of the Australian Open; and his countryman, Fabrice 
Santoro, who achieved a career best quarterfinals appearance in Melbourne last month too.

Qualifying will take place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February and is free of charge. Daily play will commence at 2pm, 
with an evening session at 7pm. The final will be played at 5pm. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at Dubai 
Tennis Box Office at the stadium itself. A Grandstand ticket for the first 3 days will cost Dhs30 (approximately US $8) and 
seating is on a first come first served basis. The official website has a more detailed breakdown of ticket prices. The 
tournament is held at The Dubai Tennis Stadium at the Aviation Club on Al Garhoud. The official tournament hotels are the 
Al Bustan Rotana and the Al Murooj Rotana. Dubai has become one of the world's most exotic and attractive tourist 
destinations, with its ideal location close to Europe and Asia, and its abundance of recreational activities on offer. 
Culture, shopping, sport, nightlife, luxury and desert safaris are all part of Dubai's makeup. GoDubai will be able to fill 
you in on all there is to know about this trendy metropolis and ensure your Middle Eastern tennis experience is one to 
savour.


Tournament Fast Facts:

Venue: The Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dates: 25 February - 4 March 2006
Singles Qualifying draw: 16 
Main Draw Singles: 32
Main Draw Doubles: 16 
Surface: Indoor hard
Prize money: US $1 000 000
Tournament Director: Salah Hussain Bin Tahlak


Main Draw Entry List:

Federer, Roger SUI 
Nadal, Rafael ESP 
Davydenko, Nikolay RUS 
Agassi, Andre USA
Safin, Marat RUS 
Johansson, Thomas SWE 
Ferrer, David ESP 
Hrbaty, Dominik SVK 
Stepanek, Radek CZE  
Berdych, Tomas CZE 
Nieminen, Jarkko FIN  
Andreev, Igor RUS  
Rochus, Olivier BEL 
Dent, Taylor USA  
Lopez, Feliciano ESP  
Rusedski, Greg GBR 
Youzhny, Mikhail RUS  
Rochus, Christophe BEL  
Wawrinka, Stanislas SUI 
Mathieu, Paul-Henri FRA  
Seppi, Andreas ITA  
Vik, Robin CZE 
Moodie, Wesley RSA 
Santoro, Fabrice FRA 


Alternates:

Djokovic, Novak SCG  
Johansson, Joachim SWE 
Kohlschreiber, Philipp GER  
Bracciali, Daniele ITA  
Pavel, Andrei ROM  
Schuettler, Rainer GER 
Phau, Bjorn GER  
Ascione, Thierry FRA 
Wang, Yeu-Tzuoo TPE  
Arthurs, Wayne AUS  
Minar, Ivo CZE 
Norman, Dick BEL  
Starace, Potito ITA 


Qualifying:

Schuettler, Rainer GER  
Marach, Oliver AUT 
Tipsarevic, Janko SCG 
Lisnard, Jean-Rene MON 
Bastl, George SUI 
Costa, Albert ESP 
Galimberti, Giorgio ITA 
Lorenzi, Paolo ITA 
van Lottum, John NED 
Klec, Ivo SVK 
Uebel, Lars GER 
Elsner, Daniel GER 
Dell'Acqua, Massimo ITA  


Qualifying Alternates:

Bruthans 
Minar 
Valent 
Fogues 
Hajek 
Balleret