The Dubai Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge is now in its third year and David Williams meets the tournament director to find out what we can expect to see at the Metropolitan Resort and Beach Club in April.

When a innocent looking 16 year-old won her first round match, at last year's Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge, she confidently predicted to the press that she intended to become the world's number one women's player, a few people sat up and took notice.

Jelena Dokic was already attracting considerable interest in the tennis world with reports coming out of her native Australia that she was set to become the game's next teen sensation. But Dokic departed Dubai a week later with her tail between her legs after losing in the quarterfinals to China's Shin-Ting Wang, showing only flashes of the form that we were promised in the build-up to the event. But few that saw those flashes of brilliance in Dubai doubted her talent and ability, and Four months later she rose to international prominence with a charge through to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. One of the scalps she picked up along the way was that of undisputed world number one Martina Hinges.

Another top player she scalped at Wimbledon was French ace Mary Pierce but Succumbed to Alexandra Stevenson in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately Dokic failed to follow up that fortune during the Remainder of the year, nevertheless she finished her first full professional circuit Ranked 39, quite an achievement for the Croatian-born starlet who is coached by her father, Damir.

Commenting on her appearance at the Al Habtoor Tennis challenge Samer Ghazi, Tournament Director said. "Jelena was an extremely polite girl when she came to the tournament and was an instant hit with the local press and spectators alike he added. "she spent plenty of time chatting to people and was very gracious when she eventually lost in the quarters." One year on and Ghazi is hoping that Dokic will be leading a Star studded line-up for the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge 2000, which will dominate Dubai's sporting action from April 1-9. The Australian, Now 17, has been invited to return and with Dubai hosting the only WTA Tournament during that particular week there is a good chance of her Appearing. "We are expecting 12-15 players from the top 100 to be playing in Dubai.

"This is compared to eight from last year," said Ghazi. "I donít expect any from the top 20 to be playing because they usually only play in Tournaments offering over $500,000." The tournament will be offering the same prize money, as last year - $75,000 - but this year, it has been included in a new category introduced by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Ghazi explained: "We have been included in a new circuit called the $75,000 plus hospitalityí that basically means we now take care of all The playersí expenses whilst they are here. Inclusion in this category also raises the number of ranking points on offer to the participants. The winner gets 65 points, followed by 46 points for the runner-up, 29 Points for the semi-finalists, and 17 points for the quarter-finalists. This is compared to 54, 38, 24, and 14 last year. This is just as much An incentive for the better players to come here as the prize money of Offer."

For such a young tournament, the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge has already garnished a fine reputation in tennis circles, and this year's event will certainly be doing its best to further enhance that reputation. Seating capacity at the Metropolitan Resort & Beach Club is to be increased, while the International Tennis Federation will be sending a Circuit director to observe the event and to take the role of match Referee. "The ITF is expecting something big this year and that is why they are sending along a circuit director," said Ghazi. "We are also flying in Three umpires of gold and silver badge standard. Last year we only had Two so that is another development for 2000." The format will run along the same lines as last year, with 32 players Entered into the main draw. Twenty-eight of those will be entered directly with four qualifiers. The qualifiers will take place before the main event with a further 32 players battling for the four main draw Places."

The final line up will not be available until right up to the event Itself, but fans of tennis in Dubai can be rest assured that they will Be treated to some of the best players on the fringes of big-time Tennis. Sponsors have shown a keen interest this year with HSBC already Confirmed as a major sponsor and other big brands expected to follow Suit. The timing of the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge is also crucial to its success. Not only is it the biggest women's tennis tournament in the world during that particular week, it is also the biggest sporting event being held locally. "We didn't want to hold it at the same time as the Dubai Shopping Festival because there is so much going on during that month. We chose these dates very carefully," said Ghazi. "The tournament doesn't clash With anything major so it provides an opportunity for the people of the UAE to come and watch some quality action free of charge because nobody has to pay to get in on any of the days." Last year's champion was Katarina Srebotnik who is expected to return to Dubai to defend her title. The former Wimbledon Junior Champion defeated Luxembourg's Anne Kremer 6-1, 6-1, for the winner's cheque of US$13,750. Kremer's consolation was the runners-up purse of US$6,750. The Slovenian was in fine form all week and did not drop a single set on the way to Her biggest payday.

The doubles winners were Sweden's Asa Carlsson and Laurence Courtois, of Belgium. Rumors were abound just before Christmas that tennis legend Steffi Graff, who retired last year, was going to make a guest appearance in the stands at the tournament, but Ghazi scotched that as idol gossip and journalists trying to create a story. "Obviously it would be a big boost to have someone of Steffi's stature appearing at our tournament but that is simply not the case this year" he said.

The UAE tennis boom

The growth of tennis in the UAE is one of the sporting success stories of recent years in the Middle East. Introduced three years ago by Khalaf Al Habtoor, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, The Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge is the only international women's tournaments held in the region. A keen player himself, Mr. Habtoor can be seen playing at the courts of the Metropolitan Resort and Beach Club almost every day of the week and his personal support and close interest in the Challenge is one of the main reasons for its success. Mr. Habtoor did miss a single day's play of the past two tournaments along with the chairman of Tennis Emirates, Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director of Dubai Information. Both have taken a keen personal interest in the tournament and it is their dedication to promoting the game that will undoubtedly see this tournament mature even more in the future. This tournament has played a significant role in promoting tennis in the region, particularly amongst the women," said Ghazi."There has been a marked increase in the number of ladies coming down to play here on a regular basis over the past couple of years, and I have no doubt that the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge is a key reason"