WTA celebrates milestone anniversary at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has joined hands with the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to mark its 50th anniversary.

WTA players, coaches and officials teamed up with the tournament's representatives and staff to form a human '50' on Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium’s famed centre court on the eve of this year’s event, which runs until February 25 featuring 17 of the world’s Top-20 female players.

Canadian ace Leylah Annie Fernandez, the World No.39, was one of the players to take part in the landmark celebration.

She said: “Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the WTA here in Dubai means a lot to me. I am super honoured and proud to be a part of the WTA and to hopefully inspire young women to achieve their dreams. I think the WTA has been doing a great job in past few years. It has a long way to go, but we are on the right track.”

Salah Tahlak, Joint COO and Tournament Director, added: “The organisation is a role model for other sporting bodies to follow in improving the sporting landscape for women around the world and promoting equality and inclusion for all.”

The WTA was established on June 21, 1973, on the eve of Wimbledon Championships, with the goal of promoting fairness and equality in women's sports.

The organisation governs the WTA Tour, the worldwide professional tennis tour for women. It has more than 2,500 players from 100 countries and over 50 tournaments held annually across six continents.