DUBAI: Renowned airport retailer Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has announced an extension of their global sponsorship deal with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), which will now enter its 15th year, having begun in 2004.
As a part of the contract, Dubai Duty Free will expand its Player Ambassador Program, adding the likes of World No.1 Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina on board, besides Caroline Wozniacki.
It will also host a special ‘Women That Achieve Power Lunch,’ which will be an exclusive gathering of the tennis industry’s most influential females, media and WTA partners on June 28 as part of WTA’s newly-introduced ‘WTA Tennis on the Thames’ event.
The event will feature fan activities such as a unique WTA art installation of historical player achievements, exclusive player appearances, mini-tennis competitions, prizes and more, which the DDF will support.
The WTA year-end World No.1 singles and doubles awards will continue to be sponsored by DDF as well. The retailer prides itself as the first WTA event sponsor from the Middle East to award equal men and women’s tournament prize money, at the annual Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which it owns, organises and title sponsors.
WTA CEO and chairman Steve Simon said: “Dubai Duty Free is an avid supporter of women’s tennis and we look forward to continue growing the sport even more in this next chapter of our partnership.”
Dubai Duty Free executive vice chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin said of the new sponsorship agreement: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with the WTA and look forward to working with the three ambassadors, Caroline, Simona and Elina, all of whom we know very well through our Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.”
