INTERNATIONAL/UAE. Dubai Duty Free has agreed to extend its sponsorship deal with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
The airport retailer will continue as one of the WTA’s premier sponsors, which includes backing the association’s year-end world number one singles and doubles awards.
Dubai Duty Free’s Player Ambassador Program will be supported by former women’s number one player Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark for the sixth successive year. Chinese number one Zhang Shuai has joined the initiative for the first time in 2017 as part of the WTA’s move to promote tennis in China.
Dubai Duty Free has been a WTA sponsor since 2004. The retailer puts its name to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the first equal prize money tennis competition for men and women.
This year’s event will begin on Sunday 19 February, running until Saturday 4 March.
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “We are delighted to continue our longstanding association with the WTA and have introduced some new marketing initiatives that will create further global awareness of our brand.
“In the meantime, we are looking forward to a great fortnight of tennis, commencing on 19 February with the WTA Premier 5 week and welcome all of our players to Dubai.”
WTA CEO and Chairman Steve Simon added: “Dubai Duty Free has provided its unwavering support for women’s tennis and we look forward to this next chapter together in growing the sport even more.”
