Dubai: The architect of Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge (AHTC) has hailed the upgrade of the annual women’s tennis tournament by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) starting this year.
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman, Al Habtoor Group and founder of AHTC announced late on Tuesday that the 19th edition of the annual women’s tennis competition that will be held at the Habtoor Grand Resort Autograph Collection, will witness an upgrade in prize money from its existing $75,000 (Dhs 275,000) to $100,000. The tournament will be held from December 10-17 as part of the women’s circuit on the ITF.
“Being the first tournament for women anywhere in the Arab world already gives the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge a unique flavour. And now, our tournament is among the record books on the ITF as the highest-ranked event on the calendar during 2016,” Al Habtoor told Gulf News.
The upgrade of the annual event sees the prize money raised to $100,000 along with all players in the main draw receiving complimentary hospitality either at the tournament hotel or any other property owned by the Al Habtoor Group in Dubai.
“Undoubtedly, we can be proud of what we have achieved for this tournament in the last 19 years. When I founded the tournament in 1998, it was my personal pledge that I would support women’s tennis in the region and worldwide and, today, through this upgrade, we are taking this even further,” he added.
In its 19th year, the AHTC was founded to encourage the development of women’s tennis in the UAE and through the Arab world. The tournament was the first professional women’s tennis event in the region and has over the years, attracted top players and kickstarting the careers of now well-known players such as former world number one Jelena Jankovic (champion in 2003), Marion Bartoli (2005), Maria Kirilenko (2007) and Sania Mirza (2010).
With the tournament getting an upgrade, organisers are expecting a group of high-calibre players to make an appearance in the December event.
“Last year, we had over 200 participants and this year we are expecting an equal or even a higher number of registrations. By upgrading the tournament to the highest category under the ITF ranking system, main draw players will receive tax free on-site prize money of $100,000 plus free accommodation in our five-star hotels,” Kyra Nagy, a former champion and now Tournament Director, pointed out.
“We will also be offering special competitive hotel rates at the Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection for those want to conduct their pre-season preparation camp during the fortnight leading up to the tournament,” she added.
