Rolex marks an exciting time ahead at Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships 2008

In a few days, Dubai will be going tennis frenzy with this tournament that is owned and organized by Dubai Duty Free under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Already ranked as one of the premier tournaments on the world tennis calendar, Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships offers $3m as prize money, two thrilling weeks of tennis and a chance to see reigning Australian Open champion Roger Federer, the Rolex ambassador in action. Trying to beat him will be defending champion and world number two Rafael Nadal and third-ranked Russian Nikolay Davydenko among the men. The world number two and defending Rolex ambassador champion Justine Henin will try to beat former finalist Svetlana Kuznetsova in the women's tournament.

The leading name in luxury wristwatches, Rolex is not only the pre-eminent symbol of performance and prestige in the world but its commitment to sport is undeniable. Rolex has become a symbol of excellence in sport such as golf, sailing and tennis.

The relationship between Rolex and tennis dates back to the late 1970s when the brand formed a privileged partnership with Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world and one of the four Grand Slam tournaments.

Over the years Rolex has extended its partnership to the Madrid Masters Series since 2005, the Monte-Carlo Masters Series presented by Rolex since 2006, the China Open since 2006, the Davis Cup since 2007 and now Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships 2008.

Rolex also supports the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, organised by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. This not-for-profit institution was set up in 1954 to preserve the history of the sport and to encourage its practice. During this tournament, played every year in Newport on grass, the original tennis surface, players who have made tennis history are inducted into the Hall of Fame. John David Newcombe, a Rolex ambassador for over 25 years, received this honour in 1986.

Among Rolex involvement to tennis tournaments, Rolex is also proud to be associated with top players such as Roger Federer, undisputide World Number One, Justine Hénin, Andy Roddick, Marat Safin and Chinese double players, Zi Yan and Jie Zheng.

With all top four-ranked men and women competing, Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships challenges even the Grand Slam for quality, making it unnecessary for tennis lovers to travel anywhere. Instead, nearly all the top names in the game will be on show at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, making the event the hottest ticket in town starting from the 25th of February 2007.