It was confirmed today by Samer Ghazi, Tournament Director, that the 3rd Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge will take place at the Metropolitan Resort and Beach Club from the 1st - 9th April. The tournament, now in its third year, is the only Professional Ladies Tennis Tournament on the International Tennis Federations World Toiur played in the Middle East. With prize money of US$ 75,000 at stake the event attracts many of the top 100 women's players. This year's Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge, won by Katerina Srebotinik, featured Sarah Pitowski, ranked 35 in the world, Iroda Tulaganova, who went on to become this year's Wimbledon Junior Champion and Jelena Dokic, who reached the quarter finals of the Ladies Singles at this year's Wimbledon among the many seeded and talented players who took part in the competition.

Ghazi went on to say that the prize money on offer at this year's event, will be the largest purse anywhere in the world that week on the ITF's Women's circuit. This was confirmed along with the dates and registration in a letter to the organizers received earlier in the week. He added that he was already contacting players and sending out invitations for what promises to be an exciting week of world class ladies tennis here in Dubai.