The WTA has secured a three-year multi-million agreement with Dubai Duty Free, with the airport retailer extending its global sponsorship of women's tennis until 2014.
Dubai Duty Free will continue as one of the WTA's premier sponsors and enjoy a series of innovative and unique benefits including a new Dubai Duty Free Player Ambassador Programme supported by star WTA players, sponsorship of the WTA's year-end world number one singles and doubles awards; and presenting sponsorship of the WTA's pre-Wimbledon Party, held in London and attracting the world's best tennis players and a host of celebrities annually.
A WTA sponsor since 2004, Dubai Duty Free backed the first event in the Middle East to award equal prize money - the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship - and has been a strong supporter of the growth of women's tennis throughout the region.
Over the past 18 months, the WTA has secured $160 million in revenues through the signing of major new sponsors in Europe and Asia-Pacific, the signing of BNP Paribas and its Turkish partner TEB as co-title sponsors of the WTA's year-end Championships in Istanbul, the signing of Rolex as a sponsor of the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships in Istanbul, a series of renewals with existing partners and the securing of additional year-end WTA Championships revenues.
'Dubai Duty Free has been a loyal partner to the WTA for many years and I am thrilled that the world's leading duty free retailer and the number one global sport for women will continue our successful partnership,' said Stacey Allaster, chairman and CEO of the WTA. 'A supporter of equal prize money and a true visionary for the sport in the Middle East and beyond, Dubai Duty Free has been a longstanding leader in growing women's tennis around the world.'
Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman, Dubai Duty Free said: 'We have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the WTA over the years, and our sponsorship of the women's tour has evolved well since 2004. Our new agreement provides Dubai Duty Free with an even wider global reach, through the TV and online aspects, while also bringing our brand closer to the players through initiatives such as the Brand Ambassador programme and the Awards scheme. We are looking forward to rolling out our plans in the coming weeks.'
World number one Caroline Wozniacki added: 'I love Dubai and choose to spend a lot of time there during the off-season. Winning my first Dubai Duty Free Championships last year was a moment I will never forget and I am really excited that the WTA's great partnership with Dubai Duty Free will continue for many years to come.'
