The tennis world turns its attention to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships that starts on Monday, 26 February. All eyes will be on the newly crowned Australian Open champions, Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden. Fresh off a three-week break after their historic victory, the World No. 1 duo will be back in action, aiming to add another title to their growing collection.

Riding High on Momentum:

Bopanna and Ebden have been on a tear in the past 12 months, culminating in their dominant performance at the Australian Open. They navigated a challenging draw, showcasing their cohesive teamwork and on-court chemistry to ultimately claim their first Grand Slam title together. This win propelled Bopanna to the top spot in the ATP Rankings at the age of 43.

Dubai: A Happy Hunting Ground for Bopanna:

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships holds special significance for Bopanna. He has enjoyed considerable success at the tournament in the past, having won the title thrice before (2012 with Mahesh Bhupathi, 2014 with Aisam Qureshi, and 2015 with Daniel Nestor). He also made the final in 2017 with Marcin Matkowski, losing to Rojer/Tecau in the final.

Challenges Await:

Despite their recent success, Bopanna and Ebden will face stiff competition in Dubai. The tournament boasts a strong field featuring other top-ranked doubles teams, including Dodig/Krajicek, Murray/Venus, Koolhof/Mektic, and many more. They will need to be at their best to overcome these challenges and continue their winning streak.

Intriguing Storylines:

This marks the first tournament for Bopanna and Ebden since their Grand Slam win. Fans will be eager to see if they can maintain their momentum and translate their Australian Open success onto the Dubai courts. Additionally, the pressure of being World No. 1 adds another interesting layer to their story.

Eyes on the Prize:

Bopanna and Ebden undoubtedly have their sights set on adding the Dubai title to their trophy cabinet. Their journey in Dubai promises to be an exciting one, filled with intriguing matchups and thrilling moments. Whether they can replicate their Australian Open heroics remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: their presence guarantees a captivating spectacle for the tennis fans in Dubai and around the world.

Rohan Bopanna during a practice session in Dubai