February, 11th 2004
DUBAI - Duty Free Women's Open
Dubai, UAE,
February 11, 2004: Jennifer Capriati last night became the seventh top 10
player to sign up for the Dubai Duty Free Women's Open from February 23-28.
The 27 year-old who spent a majority of the 1990's battling with personal
problems after exploding into the tennis world as a child prodigy, has
re-established herself as one of the game best players and returns to Dubai
after reaching the semi-finals last year.
"It's a pleasure to be
able to announce that Jennifer Capriati has decided to join our world-class
field as a wild card," said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty
Free. "She is one of the biggest names in the game and her confirmation
takes the number of top 20 players travelling here to 13."
Capriati's fall from grace after setting the tennis world alight as a
record-breaking teenager, followed by her subsequent return to the game and
climb to world No 1 and three Grand Slam titles is the stuff dreams are made of.
She wasn't sure what to expect when she arrived in Dubai last year, perhaps
expecting a way of life very different to what she had become used to. What
she found was a tantalising mix of the familiar and the exotic and it has
tempted her back to the emirate for a second time.
"I felt like I was in an Aladdin movie," she said: "I've never
taken photos before, but I was getting pictures of the hotel (Burj Al Arab),
me belly-dancing at the party, sitting on a camel. I liked it there.
I think it's a very modern city and very cosmopolitan. The hotel was
amazing, and I was just in awe every time I walked in the place."
Capriati is approaching full fitness after an injury lay-off but still sits
firmly in the world's top 10 and will be relishing the chance to face the
likes of fellow American Venus Williams or world No 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne
in Dubai.
The Dubai Duty
Free Women's Open forms the first week of the Dubai Tennis Championships
fortnight, which also features 10 of the world's top 20 men for the ATP
Dubai Duty Free Men's Open.
Roger Federer, Tim Henman and Mark Philippoussis are among the big names
confirmed for the ATP Tour event, completing two world-class fields to rival
any other tournament on the Tours.
Tickets are on sale, with almost fifty percent priced at Dhs30, and are
available from the Dubai Tennis Stadium, selected Fono outlets, the adidas
store in Deira City Centre and the Time Out Ticketline on 800 4669 or
www.itptickets.com. Finals tickets are priced just Dhs100.
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