LOVE MATCH

GAME. SET. MATCH The world’s biggest tennis stars will be battling it out in Dubai this month

There’s little question that, since its launch 21 years ago, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship has become a calendar highlight for the UAE’s tennis fans. The two-week festival of tennis begins with the WTA 1000 competition, which will take place from March 7 to 13. Following what is sure to be a thrilling week, tennis fans can also look forward to seeing many of the world’s best ATP players when the men’s week follows from March 14 to 20. Those battling for the WTA title this year have won a remarkable 18 Grand Slam titles between them, with six players at one stage holding the world number one ranking. The star-studded field is headed by current women’s world number one Ashleigh Barty, who makes her Dubai debut.

WORLD NO 2

Simona Halep

Simona returns as the Dubai defending champion and will be attempting to become just the third player in the 21-year history of the WTA event to win a third title after also triumphing in 2015.

WORLD NO 1

THE WTA LINE-UP

Ashleigh Barty

The amiable Aussie not only won the 2019 French Open and reached the semi-finals last year in her home Grand Slam in Melbourne, but she is the recipient of Australia’s highest sporting honour, the Don Award.

WORLD NO 4

Sofia Kenin

Last year the American thrilled the tennis world as she came from nowhere to claim the Australian Open title, defeating Ashleigh Barty to reach the final, where she overcame Garbine Muguruza in three sets. Later in the season she reached the final of the French Open and was named WTA Player of the Year.

WORLD NO 5

Elina Svitolina

The Ukrainian has a glorious record at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, winning the title in 2017 and 2018. In 2019 she was also a semi-finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open. In 2020, while playing a limited schedule, she won both Monterrey and Strasbourg.

WORLD NO 6

Karolina Pliskova

Karolina has not only enjoyed success in Dubai, contesting the 2015 final, but she has been runner-up at the US Open and has been a semi-finalist at both the Australian and French Opens.

WORLD NO 7

Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna’s success in lifting the trophy in Abu Dhabi elevated her to a career high as the world number seven. Last year, the Belarusian also won in Doha and is eager to make it a regional treble with a win here.

WORLD NO 8

Bianca Andreescu

Bianca is the highest ranked Canadian player in WTA history and is the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title. She burst on the scene in 2019 by claiming the Canadian and US Opens.

WORLD NO 9

Petra Kvitova

The Czech returns to Dubai for the eighth time and will bid to recapture the title she won in 2013. She has come desperately close before, in 2019 advancing all the way to the final before falling to Belinda Bencic in three sets.

WORLD NO 10

Kiki Bertens

The most successful female player to emerge from Holland, reaching as high as four in the world. Her most recent title was claimed last year in St Petersburg where she successfully defended her crown to win her 10th singles trophy.

WORLD NO 12

Belinda Bencic

A surprise winner in Dubai in 2019, Belinda fought her way back to the top of the game after her career was stalled by injury. She went on to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final that year and was named as the WTA Comeback Player of the Year.

ALSO IN THE RUNNING

2020 French Open winner Iga Swiatek, former world number one and two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka, former French Open and Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza, triple Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber, Grand Slam finalist Madison Keys and 2020 Dubai finalist Elena Rybakina. Finally Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, the highest ranked Arab player in WTA history and the first to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal.

a Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud, Dubai. dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com MARCH 7 TO 13

(WTA 1000 competition MARCH 14 TO 20

(ATP men’s competition)

Spring is the season of adventure, and nothing has residents more pumped this year than the UAE wilderness and its amazing hiking trails. They’re beautiful, they’re all unique, and they get you outside. They are also free, which we can’t say was true for your Deliveroo order last night.

Do yourself a favour: this month, go on an adventure and hit the trails. The Hajar mountains stretch for 700km through the eastern UAE to the north east of Oman and they run through six of the seven Emirates – phew, that’s a lot of exploring to do. Behold, some of our favourite places in the UAE to go hiking...

Wadi Shawka

GREAT FOR: BEGINNERS DISTANCE FROM DXB: 1-HOUR DRIVE COORDINATES: 25.103958, 56.039260

One of the closest hiking spots to Dubai, Wadi Shawka is just an hour away and it is a great beginner’s hike. Shawka has several varied routes. You can choose from a quick ramble or make a day of it and include the Shawka pools, too. Whichever you pick you’ll enjoy impressive, panoramic views. Head to the Shawka Dam and either take the stairs directly to the summit or choose one of the trails, easily visible from the small parking area. The trails are well marked out, making it difficult to get lost and safe for families with children.

Hatta Mountain Trails

GREAT FOR: FAMILY-FUN HIKES DISTANCE FROM DXB: 1-HOUR 30 MINUTES’ DRIVE COORDINATES: 24.815061, 56.160270

Head to Hatta Wadi Hub to choose from five diverse routes spread over nearly 33km. Ranging from novice to arduous, there are trails for everyone. Hatta is Dubai’s largest national park, and with undulating rugged hills and wadis it is a photographer’s dream. The paths take you through farms, over dams, by the heritage village and up to the famous Hatta sign. This is one of the few hikes that have toilet facilities, so is perfect for families with young children.

Situated on the east coast, overlooking Khor Fakkan town and the Gulf of Oman, Al Rabi is known for its spectacular sunrise views. There are two summits along this path and between the two you will get a glimpse of the secret hidden beach. Though steep at times, the trail is suitable for most adventurers, including children and dogs. It takes about three hours to complete the 6km track. While there’s a small car park at Al Rabi Tower, it’s well advised to park down the hill in the long term parking.

Al Rabi Mountain Trail

GREAT FOR: A DIP IN THE OCEAN POST HIKE DISTANCE FROM DXB: 1-HOUR 25 MINUTES’ DRIVE COORDINATES: 25.339488, 56.359157

Ain Al Sheria

GREAT FOR: INTERMEDIATE HIKERS DISTANCE FROM DXB: 1-HOUR 50 MINUTES’ DRIVE COORDINATES: 25.606302, 56.152161

One of the most colourful and historical hikes in the UAE is Ain Al Sheria in north-west Fujairah. Boasting stunning rock formations in vibrant russet tones and a vast boulder with ancient petroglyphs, it undoubtedly stands out as unique. The 8.8km trail is well marked, thanks to the recent efforts of Fujairah Adventures. However, this is a challenging hike and will require some prior experience. There are shelters for rest and shade, though most of the path is in the open sun, so don’t forget your sunscreen. The approaching road is in a rough condition and requires a 4x4.

WIN! A HIKING STARTER The North Face kit PACK WORTH There’s nothing like a new outfit to make you hike DHS2,656 up those mountains quicker. As the most iconic adventurewear brand on the planet, this brilliant hiking kit from The North Face fits the bill. You could snag all these goodies below just by entering via whatson.ae/win.

M REAXION EASY TEE

Dhs149

M TENTE FUTURELIGHT JACKET

Dhs1,399

M VECTIV EXPLORIS MID FUTURELIGHT Dhs729

M EXPLORATION PANT Dhs379

All products pictured are also available at The North Face stores in The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall and Mirdiff City Centre Dubai

HIKING ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST

Hiking is a great experience that allows you to connect with nature by immersing yourself within it. But anyone who’s ever gone on a hike underprepared usually has regrets. The wrong shoes, lack of water, missing maps etc. Here’s a good list of things you’ll need for a thoroughly enjoyable hike.

BOOTS AND SHOES

Most people’s feet swell considerably while hiking, so you need a hiking boot that’s slightly wide on the toes, yet light and breathable. We’re fans of The North Face M Vectiv Exploris Mid Futurelight (Dhs729, The North Face store), designed with innovative solutions for maximising stability and minimising fatigue.

PACKS

An ultralight, water-resistant and tear-resistant pack like the Lixada series (Dhs62, amazon.ae) is ideal to handle the terrain you’ll come across in the UAE. It also has special pouch to fit a water bladder.

HYDRATION

It’s fine to bring bottles of water, but you’ll find the experience far more enjoyable with a CamelBak. Some models are absolutely perfect for day trips as the backpack will sufficiently hold your water reserve and have enough room for your other necessities (snacks, keys, phone, etc).

VERY USEFUL APPS

Wikiloc and Alltrails are two of the best apps to find trails with outdoor navigation, offline maps and live tracking.

MOST EVERYTHING ELSE YOU’LL NEED

Other essentials worth having include a headlamp, a portable charger, a first aid kit, sunscreen, snacks, sunglasses, hat, and phone with offline maps.

Jebel Jais

GREAT FOR:

OUTSTANDING PANORAMAS

DISTANCE FROM DXB:

1-HOUR 50 MINUTES’ DRIVE

COORDINATES:

25.903435, 56.140985 (LOWER TRAILS); 25.938134,56.131498 (UPPER TRAILS)

The UAE’s tallest mountain, Jebel Jais is split into two hiking areas. The lower segment has five trails for varying abilities, starting from 0.8km up to 6km for the Samar trail. Hikes are well marked out but if you prefer to have some supervision, Beyond Action (beyondaction. ae), Challenging Adventure (challengingadventure.com) and Adventurati Outdoor (adventurati-outdoor.com) all offer guided tours.

The upper trail is a bit more demanding with a steep start. However, the track is well defined making it difficult to lose your way. This path will lead you to the north and south summits, where you have outstanding vistas from the highest points in the UAE. Thanks to huge efforts from the Ras Al Khaimah government, Jebel Jais is a hub for thrill seekers. It also hosts the country’s highest restaurant, 1484 by Puro, named so after its height above sea level.

Jebel Jais

Mleiha

GREAT FOR: PANORAMIC SAND DUNE VIEWS DISTANCE FROM DXB: 45 MINUTES’ DRIVE COORDINATES: 25.167183,55.841779

Stunning sand dunes meet the fascinating geological wonders of Fossil Rock at Jebel Mleiha. It starts with a mild hike and boulder clambering, before the real climb begins. There’s no set path so be sure to follow a Wikiloc App trail – you’ll find a number to choose from. Either head straight up and left, which will take you along the hair-raising ridge and down the far mountainside towards the desert, or up and right, which makes for panoramic views of Fossil Rock. Not recommended for children under 10 years.

Jebel Hafeet

GREAT FOR: ADVANCED HIKERS DISTANCE FROM DXB: 1-HOUR 50 MINUTES’ DRIVE COORDINATES: 24.098936, 55.748944 (GREEN MUBAZZARAH PARK); 24.055854, 55.798625 (JEBEL HAFEET DESERT PARK)

Situated in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s only mountainous region, Jebel Hafeet offers a variety of rewarding hikes. The first begins at Green Mubazzarah Park, but due to covid restrictions, the park is currently only open from 5pm, so hikers are taking to reversing the hike and starting at the top. The alternative trek is the ‘smuggler’s route’ which commences from the Desert Park on the far side of the mountain. This path winds up through the rugged terrain offering fascinating views of the ancient burial tombs and the desert plains stretching out towards Oman. Both routes are considered intermediate with some loose rocks, therefore not advised for children or first timers.

Wadi Abadilah

GREAT FOR: BOULDERING AND WADI DIPS

DISTANCE FROM DXB:

1-HOUR 30 MINUTES’ DRIVE COORDINATES: 25.440816, 56.196784

Approximately 20km north of Masafi lies the picturesque Wadi Abadilah. This trail leads you through agricultural farmland where you will spot banana trees, mango trees, date palms and more. While most wadis are running dry this year, with little rain, Abadilah still has some flowing streams and pools. If you are a keen nature observer, look out for snakes and lizards in this area. This is a moderate hike, with some boulder climbing depending how deep into the wadi you venture. Weekends can get busy.

8 HIKING SAFETY TIPS

01 Always tell someone where you plan to hike and the time you expect to return.

02 It is recommended not to hike alone. If you do, make sure you follow a busy route and do not go off course.

03 Always take more water than you think you need. If you get lost in the mountains, water will keep you going until help comes.

04 Download maps before setting off. The network coverage in the mountains can be patchy and some areas have no coverage at all.

05 Morning hikes are safer as you won’t run out of daylight hours. If you plan to hike at night, make sure you have enough torches and know your route well.

06 Check the weather before heading out. Rain can cause flash floods and have a perilous outcome.

07 Never attempt the more advanced hikes without a guide. Going under prepared can lead to serious consequences.

08 Remember to leave the mountains as you found them. Please do not litter.