UPDATE – Federer pulls out with a knee injury. A clear favorite in Dubai is now out until summer. 

Last year Roger Federer won his 8th title in Dubai, and 100th overall title. Dubai has been good for Roger, and once again he will lead a stacked field for the chance to earn 500 ATP points and approximately $500,000 to go with it. Although not the top seed, that privilege will go to Djokovic, Roger has proven to have lots of success in this tournament. This year should be no exception. Let’s look at the top players taking the trip to the middle east.

Novak Djokovic – coming off his eighth Australian Open, Novak will feel right at home on these hard courts. He’s already won this title four times. Roger and Novak have met a total of four times in Dubai, with Roger winning three out of four. That being said, Novak has had Roger’s number as of late. Novak is the clear favorite in Dubai.

Roger Federer – make no mistake, Federer will be in the final here. He has made it to the final every time he has played in Dubai, and only lost once back in 2006 against Rafa Nadal. Dubai has been good to Roger, and his record shows it. Can Roger make it title #9? If Novak gets taken out early, I can see Roger lifting this trophy.

Stefanos Tsitsipas – he’s had a very lackluster start to his season. He ended last year by winning the ATP Finals in London, but then he lost rather easily to Milos Raonic in the third round of the Australian Open. Then in Rotterdam, he gets upset in the second round by 30-year-old Aljaz Bedene, ranked 52 in the world. Stefanos will be looking to get back on track. He has shown he has the game to beat all the top players. Will the player that took the ATP by storm last year finally show up in 2020?

Gael Monfils – this guy is currently on fire! Winning back to back titles at Montpellier and Rotterdam. He will arrive to Dubai hungry for more. Unfortunately for Gael, Novak lurks in the draw, and unlike Federer who has a pretty even head to head against Novak, Gael holds a 0-16 record against Novak. Ouch! So if Monfils wants a shot at the title, he needs Novak to lose and hope to get a shot at Federer, whom he has a 4-10 record against.