Tsitsipas makes introduction to remember as ATP Players’ Party goes down a storm
Andrey Rublev (C) with Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Chairman of the Tournament Organising Committee, and wife Alpana
Glitzy gala sees Medvedev, Rublev, De Minaur, and more celebrate 33rd birthday of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships’ men’s event
Dubai, UAE – February 26, 2025: The biggest names in men’s tennis came together on Tuesday for a night of elegance, energy, and sophistication at the ATP Players’ Party, as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships celebrated its 33rd anniversary.
Top seed Daniil Medvedev was in good spirits at the glitzy gala having put Jan-Lennard Struff to the sword in straight sets earlier in the day, while two-time Dubai finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas made a memorable entrance, arriving on the red carpet wearing a kandura, the traditional robe worn in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, World No8 Alex de Minaur jokingly remarked that he hoped the party would cheer him up just hours after veteran Marin Cilic rolled back the years to inflict a shock defeat on the Australian No1. Andrey Rublev, a former Dubai winner, was also in attendance despite suffering the same fate as qualifier Quentin Halys came out on top in an intense three-set clash against the Russian on Centre Court.
Karen Khachanov also displayed his ‘questionable’ dance moves, with World No21 Felix Auger-Aliassime, Chinese No1 Zhang Zhizhen, and Dubai debutant Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard joining dignitaries and representatives from title sponsor Dubai Duty Free, as well as tournament partners evian, Moët & Chandon, BMW AGMC, Emirates, Grey Goose, Hologic, J.P. Morgan, Mediclinic, and Rolex.
The Black and Gold Royale-themed party featured an assortment of live entertainment, dancers, and performers, including Abdullah the Magician, the Baseline Band–featuring some of the emirate’s best musicians–and Fusion Al Arab, a unique arrangement that crosses classical Arabic with a modern twist.
Wynton Harvey—the son of the American comedian and actor Steve Harvey —was the final act of the evening, wrapping up with an hour-long mix set as the party entered the early hours.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and 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.
Tickets for the men’s ATP 500 event are available to purchase at www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com.
